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Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Our actions should not hinder the relationship between our brother or sister and the Lord Jesus Christ; it should enhance it.<\/p>\n Paul starts off this verse with the Greek word m\u0113keti<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of m\u0113<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cnot\u201d and eti<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201canymore.\u201d Hence, m\u0113keti<\/em> <\/span>means, \u201cnot any more\u201d or \u201cno longer.\u201d It carries the notion that there is something which was being done which will cease to be done.<\/p>\n This use of the verb \u201cjudge<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb krin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is in the subjunctive mood, implying action which is possible or probable. So this phrase could be translated, \u201cTherefore we should not judge one another any more, \u2026<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cResolve<\/span>\u201d is also translated from krin\u014d<\/em><\/span>; however, here it is expressed in the imperative mood meaning \u201cyou must do this.\u201d It is as if Paul were saying, \u201cTherefore you should not judge one another anymore, but you must judge yourselves in this.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cstumbling block<\/span>\u201d is proskomma<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201csomething that someone hits or runs into.\u201d Figuratively this refers to something that someone stubs their toe on or trips over.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201ca cause to fall<\/span>\u201d is skandalon<\/em><\/span>, which is \u201cthe trigger of a trap which when touched causes the trap to close.\u201d<\/p>\n This verse contains the second half of the conclusion that Paul started in the previous verse. There we were told that the reason we are not to judge other Christians is because each of us will give an account of ourselves, not of others, to God at the judgment seat of Christ.<\/p>\n Now he reiterates how we should behave toward other Christians. First, we are to stop condemning each other. Notice that Paul uses the pronoun \u201cwe\u201d in this phrase, indicating that he, too, needs to stop judging other Christians.<\/p>\n The second thing that Paul tells us here is more forceful than the first. He commands us to judge our own actions so that we won\u2019t cause other Christians to fall. And, we are to judge our own actions to ensure that we don\u2019t do anything that will cause our Christian brother or sister to sin. In other words, we are to be constantly watching our own actions to ensure that what we do doesn\u2019t either cause another Christian to stumble in their walk with God or cause them to become entrapped in sin.<\/p>\n Some translations express skandalon as \u201can offense<\/span>.\u201d Though this is a reasonable translation, it is often misunderstood. It does not refer to something that will offend another Christian, rather something that will cause them to be ensnared by sin.<\/p>\n Are you watching your Christian brothers and sisters in order to judge their actions as right or wrong? Or are you watching and judging yourself to ensure that you do not do something that will cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble or sin?\u201d Again, it\u2019s a matter of where your focus is!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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