John Calvin Commentary Romans 14:11

"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God." — Romans 14:11 (ASV)

As I live, etc. It seems to me that he quoted this testimony of the Prophet, not so much to prove what he had said about the judgment seat of Christ, which was not doubted among Christians, as to show that judgment should be awaited by all with the greatest humility and lowliness of mind; and this is what the words signify.

He had first testified by his own words that the power to judge all men is vested in Christ alone; he now demonstrates by the words of the Prophet that all flesh should be humbled while expecting that judgment, and this is what is expressed by the bending of the knee.

But though in this passage of the Prophet the Lord generally foretells that His glory should be known among all nations, and that His majesty should shine forth everywhere (which was then hidden among very few, and, as it were, in an obscure corner of the world), yet if we examine it more closely, it will be evident that its complete fulfillment is not taking place now, nor has it ever taken place, nor is it to be hoped for in future ages.

God does not now rule in the world otherwise than by His gospel; nor is His majesty otherwise rightly honored except when it is adored as known from His word. But the word of God has always had its enemies, who have perversely resisted it, and its despisers, who have always treated it with ridicule, as though it were absurd and fabulous. Even today there are many such, and there always will be.

Hence, it appears that this prophecy has indeed begun to be fulfilled in this life but is far from being completed, and will not be so until the day of the last resurrection shines forth, when Christ’s enemies will be laid prostrate to become His footstool. But this cannot happen unless the Lord ascends His tribunal; he has therefore suitably applied this testimony to the judgment seat of Christ.

This is also a remarkable passage for confirming our faith in the eternal divinity of Christ, for it is God who speaks here, and He is the God who has declared once for all that He will not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). Now if what He claims here for Himself alone is accomplished in Christ, then doubtless He manifests Himself in Christ.

And unquestionably, the truth of this prophecy then openly appeared when Christ gathered a people to Himself from the whole world and restored them to the worship of His majesty and to the obedience of His gospel. To this purpose are Paul’s words when he says that God gave a name to His Christ, at which every knee should bow (Philippians 2:10), and it will then appear still more fully when He ascends His tribunal to judge the living and the dead, for all judgment in heaven and on earth has been given to Him by the Father.

The words of the Prophet are, Every tongue shall swear to me; but as an oath is a kind of divine worship, the word which Paul uses, shall confess, does not vary in sense. For the Lord intended simply to declare that all people should not only acknowledge His majesty but also make a confession of obedience, both by mouth and by the external gesture of the body, which He has designated by the bowing of the knee.