5:11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, 3 we try to persuade 4 people, 5 but we are well known 6 to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.
1 sn The judgment seat (βῆμα, bhma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a common item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city. Use of the term in reference to Christ’s judgment would be familiar to Paul’s 1st century readers.
2 tn Or “whether good or bad.”
3 tn Or “because we know what it means to fear the Lord.”
4 tn The present tense of πείθομεν (peiqomen) has been translated as a conative present.
5 tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is generic here since clearly both men and women are in view (Paul did not attempt to win only men to the gospel he preached).
6 tn Or “clearly evident.” BDAG 1048 s.v. φανερόω 2.b.β has “θεῷ πεφανερώμεθα we are well known to God 2 Cor 5:11a, cp. 11b; 11:6 v.l.”