2 Corinthians 5:10-12

5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ¹  so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil. ² 

The Message of Reconciliation

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. 5:12 We are not trying to commend ⁷  ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, ⁸  so that you may be able to answer those who take pride ⁹  in outward appearance ¹⁰  and not in what is in the heart.

[5:10]  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.

[5:10]  ² tn Or “whether good or bad.”

[5:11]  ³ tn Or “because we know what it means to fear the Lord.”

[5:11]  ⁴ tn The present tense of πείθομεν (peiqomen) has been translated as a conative present.

[5:11]  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).

[5:11]  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.”

[5:12]  ⁵ tn The present tense of συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen) has been translated as a conative present.

[5:12]  ⁶ tn Or “to boast about us.”

[5:12]  ⁷ tn Or “who boast.”

[5:12]  ⁸ tn Or “in what is seen.”