Romans 14:5

"Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand."

Key Reflection

In first-century Roman society, there was a strong emphasis on maintaining social order and accountability through hierarchy and personal responsibility. The phrase “who are you who judge another’s servant?” challenges this by suggesting that each person is accountable only to their own lord—God—and not to human judges or masters. This verse reflects the broader theme of Romans 14, where Paul addresses the issue of food laws and dietary practices, emphasizing that each individual must answer for themselves before God rather than imposing personal restrictions on others.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 5. One man esteemeth. Gr., judgeth, (krinei). The word is here properly translated esteemeth. Comp. Ac 13:46; 16:15. The word originally has the idea of separating, and then discerning, in the act of judging. The expression means, that one would set a higher value on one day than on another, or would regard it as more sacred than others. This was the case with the Jews uniformly, who regarded the days of their festivals, and fasts, and Sabbaths as peculiarly sacred, and who would retain, to no inconsiderable degree, their former views, even after they became converted to Christianity. Another esteemeth. That is, the Gentile Christian.

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