What was the Bema Seat in Corinth used for?
The Bema Seat in Corinth functioned like a town square, a public stage where philosophers would stand and present their philosophy. Paul did not come there with excellency of speech or worldly wisdom, but determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Les explains that the Bema Seat in Corinth was sort of like the town square, where all the philosophers would get up on the stage and begin their philosophy. Paul did not come to Corinth with excellency of speech or of wisdom, nor with the knowledge of the Greek classics like Homer and Plato. Instead, he determined not to know anything among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, because the wisdom of this world is set against the wisdom of God.