Paul asks two emphatic questions in Romans 14:10. First, “why do you judge your brother?” This first emphatic question emphasizes the “you” who is the less mature brother who doesn’t understand that eating meat (or, whatever non-issue is the current fad or rage in the church) is not a sin, yet is judging a fellow believer for doing so. And, second, “why do you treat them with contempt?” This emphatic question emphasizes the “you” who is the mature believer treating the younger, less mature believer with contempt for their lack of understanding. Paul’s point is they are both wrong for this baseless judgment of each other.

Take note that Paul is rebuking believers for passing judgment that is based on two types of faulty criteria. One, Paul is rebuking believers with less understanding for advancing non-important issues as being major issues of sin and morality when they are not. And, two, he is also rebuking someone for passing judgment on a younger believer who is still developing. This second case would be similar to an older sibling making fun of a younger brother or sister in first grade for not understanding high school math.

Paul is rebuking believers for a faulty standard of judgment, he is not saying never judge and never evaluate others, since this would contradict his other teachings that clearly tell us to “mark those who cause division” (Romans 16:17 ; Titus 3:10), judge false teachers (Galatians 1:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 John 1:10), identify lazy Christians who do “not live according to the teaching you received from us,” (2 Thess. 3:6), take note of the man who disregards Paul’s teaching and “do not associate with him,” (2 Thess. 3:14).

Our motivation for restricting inept judgment of each other today is identified by Paul.  Each of us will stand before the Lord for judgment and “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” The phrase “give an account” is a phrase used to refer to a financial record. Even as saved and redeemed believers we will be called upon to explain our records of behavior, attitudes, words and actions before the “bema” seat, or  “before God’s judgment seat.” This is not a judgment to determine our eternal destiny in heaven or in hell, but it is instead an evaluation of our performance as believers.

"The perfect church service,would be one we
were almost unaware of.
Our attention would
have been on God."
- C.S. Lewis

Council of Verona (1184) - instituted the inquisition
of heretics