Judge not another brother

Posted on Feb. 4, 2026, 8:04 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

“Who are you to judge another servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Rom.14:4) It is the word of God as written by Apostle Paul in his letter to the brethren in Rome on how not to discourage one another based on matters of opinion which does not deal with issue concerning salvation. The word says further that, God is the one that will judge and decide who stands or falls, with the conclusion that believers are accountable only to the Lord in reference to those things that deals with matter of Salvation. “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.” (Rom.14:10) Jesus Christ is the judge that every believer is going to appear before. (2 Cor.5:10) Matters of opinion are doctrines and practices that do not determine whether a person is considered genuinely saved. They are issues that are neither commanded nor forbidden by the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are nonessential things that has nothing to do with salvation. Unfortunately, it is on such matters that believers commonly judge and condemn one another. Sometimes it is difficult to determine neutrality concerning such nonessential issues. The Bible calls them “doubtful things” and warned believers not to dispute over them. (Rom.14:1b) It is because of the difficulty that Paul encourages strong believer not to be inconsiderate of the weak and the weak not to allow himself to be intimated by the strong to act against his conscience. The scripture says, “For whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom.14:23) The word of God is encouraging believers to rather “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” (Rom.14:1) The “weak in the faith” in the context is a convert who is yet to have deep understanding of salvation matters, who is in the process of growing in faith and yet to know the difference between matter of opinion and matter of salvation. He is unlike the believer who has been a Christian for some time and has fully made the Lord his master. He works in the fear of God, stands by what God has spoken in His word and knows that he is accountable only to the Lord. It is however important to consider giving respect to issues that are neither commanded nor forbidden. It is based on the respect, that the word of God is encouraging both the strong and weak believers to know how they should interrelate with one another when it comes to matter of opinion. (Rom.14:1-12) The strong in faith should practice self-limitation in exercising his liberty so as not to offend the weak in faith. He should also aid the weak brother in his growth of the knowledge of what the will of God is concerning matters of salvation that everyone should acknowledge the fact that it is not the business of a brother to judge another brother in reference to matter of opinion. Believers’ behaviour with one another should be for the purpose of edifying one another and not to create condition that will make a brother stumble in his kingdom journey. (Rom.14:13) Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by matters of opinion. Matters of opinion are none essential to salvation. Therefore, work your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12b) by living a Christ-like life in obedience to God’s holiness. It is by this that God who is able to make one to stand will indeed make you to stand. May you never cause anyone to fall in his or her heavenly journey in Jesus mighty name. Amen Evangelism: It is only through Jesus Christ one can receive salvation. Share the truth with as many unbelievers as you can. God bless you as you do so. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre