damnation Summary and Overview

in Rom. 13:2, means "condemnation," which comes on those who withstand God's ordinance of magistracy. This sentence of condemnation comes not from the magistrate, but from God, whose authority is thus resisted. In 1 Cor. 11:29 (R.V., "judgment") this word means condemnation, in the sense of exposure to severe temporal judgements from God, as the following verse explains. In Rom. 14:23 the word "damned" means "condemned" by one's own conscience, as well as by the Word of God. The apostle shows here that many things which are lawful are not expedient; and that in using our Christian liberty the question should not simply be, Is this course I follow lawful? but also, Can I follow it without doing injury to the spiritual interests of a brother in Christ? He that "doubteth", i.e., is not clear in his conscience as to "meats", will violate his conscience "if he eat," and in eating is condemned; and thus one ought not so to use his liberty as to lead one who is "weak" to bring upon himself this condemnation.

DAMNA'TION . This term, in common use, denotes the endless perdition of the ungodly. Matt 23:3; Mark 3:29; John 5:28-29; 2 Pet 2:3. But when the Bible was translated the word was used where "condemnation" or "judgment" would more properly express the sense, so that, while generally applying to the eternal state of the soul, it is sometimes to be taken in its milder meaning. Ignorance of this fact has led to deplorable consequences. Saints have been made despondent and sinners driven to despair. 1 Cor 11:29 ought to be translated "eateth and drinketh judgment to himself." So in Rom 13:2 and 1 Sam 14:23.