Romans 14:13

“ Let us not, therefore, judge one another any more, but judge this rather: that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. ”

The first proposition sums up the whole of the first part of the chapter; for it is still addressed to both parties; it forms at the same time the transition to the second. The object of the verb: one another, proves that the term judge here includes the contempt of the strong for the weak, as well as the condemnation which these take the liberty of pronouncing on the former.

From the second proposition of the verse onward, the apostle turns to the strong exclusively. He makes a sort of play on the meaning of the word κρίνειν, to judge: “Do not judge one another; but, if you will judge absolutely, judge as follows.” Judge the second time has the meaning of decide; comp. Titus 3:12.

The wise decision to take is, according to Paul, to avoid anything that might cause a shock (πρόσκομμα), or even a fall (σκάνδαλον), to your neighbor. There must be, whatever Meyer may say, a difference of meaning between the two substantives; not only because Paul does not use pleonasms, but also on account of the particle ἤ, or, which undoubtedly expresses a gradation: or even. One strikes against (προσκόπτειν), the result is a wound; but one stumbles against an obstacle (σκανδαλίζεσθαι), the result is a fall. The second case is evidently graver than the first. It is easy even to recognize in these two terms the theme of the two following developments: the first relates to the wounded feeling of the weak, with all its vexing consequences; the second to the sin which one is in danger of making him commit by leading him into an act contrary to his conscience. The first of these evils, as we have said, is referred to in Romans 14:14-19 a.