14:10
Paul now urges those who judge others to consider the matter carefully. Now we need to draw a distinction between judging actions and judging people. We are quite right to say that certain actions are wrong, and the New Testament is full of examples of this. So when the “do not judge” crowd pipe up saying we shouldn’t judge actions, which is what they are often doing, they should be ignored for they are spouting unbiblical nonsense, they are going against the word of God. The situation here is different. First, the actions are not going against scripture, and we should be very wary of making rules or laws on matters that the Bible has said nothing. Secondly, they were in danger of judging people, saying that the “weaker” or “stronger” brother (depending which side you were on) was a lesser Christian, or maybe not a Christian at all. It is dangerous to treat with contempt someone whom God has accepted in Christ. Moreover, we will all one day stand before the judgement seat.
14:11
Paul quotes from Is 45:23 to backup his argument. These words are applied to Jesus in Phil 2:10,11. It is a fundamental fact of life that ultimately every knee will bow before the Lord acknowledging Him as Lord. We need to live our lives in the light of this truth. Here it is a warning against judging people. More generally it is a warning against giving in to those who oppose the Lord.
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