_{林布蘭（1606–1669），《使徒保羅》，約 1657 年，公有領域圖像，更多資訊見 Wikimedia Commons}

在主流的基督信仰討論中，耶穌的勸勉「不要論斷人，免得你們被論斷」（New International Version Bible, 2011, Matt 7:1）常常被引用。有時我們不願更深入探討耶穌這句話的真正含義，因為這個主題十分廣泛，也需要認真細緻的研究。就在最近，有人邀請我思考一個問題：根據保羅在羅馬書 14:13 的勸勉，如何為他人創造一個沒有被論斷恐懼的群體空間：「所以，我們不可再彼此論斷，倒要立定心意，誰也不給弟兄姊妹放下絆腳石或障礙。」那麼，保羅在勸勉羅馬信徒時，究竟是什麼意思呢？雖然全面討論耶穌對「哪些事可以論斷、哪些事不可論斷」的看法，超出了這篇部落格文章的範圍，但本文將透過探討保羅生平中的一些歷史處境，幫助我們理解，當他警告羅馬的門徒「不要再彼此論斷」時，可能真正想表達的是什麼。

_{Rembrandt (1606-1669), The Apostle Paul, c. 1657, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons}

In mainstream discussions regarding the Christian faith, Jesus’ admonition to “do not judge, or you too will be judged” (New International Version Bible, 2011, Matt 7:1), often gets quoted. Sometimes we avoid deeper discussions on what Jesus meant because the topic is broad and demands diligent study. Just recently, I was asked to consider the topic of creating for others a communal space free of the fear of being judged, based on Paul’s admonition in Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” What did Paul mean when he admonished the believers in Rome? While a comprehensive discussion of Jesus’ view on what we can judge or not is beyond the scope of this blog article, here I will discuss some of the historical circumstances of Paul’s life in order to contribute to understanding what he may have meant when he cautioned the Roman disciples to “stop passing judgment on one another.”