Romans 14:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you see how Paul again shakes the soul of one man by apparently striking another? His words mean the same as if he had said: why are you anxious? You will not be punished for him. He did not say this directly, but this is what he meant, expressing it much more gently by saying: "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." The Apostle also cited the words of the prophet, who testifies to the universal obedience to God. This is the unconditional obedience of all who lived in the Old Covenant, and in general of all without exception. It is not simply said, "Every one shall bow," but, "shall confess," that is, shall give account of what he has done.

"Shall confess" means that he will give account of what he has done. To whom? Not to the law, but to Christ. Why, then, do you submit yourself to the law?

Besides this, each of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom 14:12). Orthodox Christians, in days of special fasting one can find among us people who fast strictly, people who fast less, and even people who do not observe the fast in food at all. Among us there are also people who fast, yet judge others for breaking the fast, and, as it were, imperceptibly consider themselves higher than others. How then should we all conduct ourselves toward one another? Just as the holy Apostle Paul commanded. Let us therefore no longer judge one another. Rather, let us care not to give a brother an occasion for stumbling or scandal (Rom 14:13). In relation to the weak and to those who are scrupulous in faith and devotion, we must be condescending, patient, and cautious.

Since each of us, says Paul, will give account for himself, let us not condemn one another concerning what was mentioned above.

Since the Apostle has pointed to the Master's tribunal, he necessarily counsels us not to judge one another, but to await that sentence. For he also added this: "Therefore let us no longer judge one another, but rather judge this, that no one put a stumbling block or an offense before his brother."

Therefore, if we entreat the Lord to forgive us our sins, we also must forgive (cf. Mt 6:14-15; Mt 18:35; Mk 11:25-26; Lk 17:3-4). For we are all before the eyes of the Lord and God. We all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and each of us must give account for himself.

Second, both groups, that is, both the weak in faith and the perfect, are guided by one and the same thought of pleasing God (Rom 14:5-12). "He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God" (Rom 14:6). Therefore it is best to leave the actions of our brethren to the judgment of the Lord, our common Master and Judge, to Whom "each of us shall give account of himself" (Rom 14:12).

If someone eats and drinks according to the demand of reason, to the glory of God, he not only does not sin. On the contrary, he fulfills the purpose of his being. For we were created by the Lord, and must live for the Lord, and likewise die for Him. This is all the more so because not only God the Father, but also His Only-begotten Son, our Savior, now has dominion over the living and the dead. He also will judge all the tribes of the earth. Therefore we have no right to judge others, but must prepare ourselves for judgment. For this reason, the Apostle counsels us to take care that, while not being scandalized by the eating of others, we do not give any scandal by our own not eating.

"Each of us" softens the word and places himself among all who give account. Each of us shall give God a word for himself, that is, an answer or account. It will be an account for everything done, good and evil. Yet such words are brought forward chiefly to remind us of the responsibility before us for evil, to frighten the wicked and move them to correction. Imagine yourself standing at judgment and being examined. Why did you do this or that, when you knew it should not be done and could have refrained, having grace-filled means at hand? Then you will never sin. Intending to turn the Roman Christians, and in their person all of us, away from evil, the Apostle stamps upon the mind this responsibility that awaits us and cannot be escaped.