How was the bema used in the Olympic games?
In the Olympic games, the bema was the seat of the judges who determined who came in first, second, third, and so forth. The analogy Paul likely has in mind is the Olympics rather than the political bema seat of government.
Les explains that the Greek word bema refers to a raised platform, such as the ruins at ancient Corinth, where a party to be judged stood before the judges seated on the bema. He notes it was also used in the Olympic games as the judges’ seat to determine who came in first, second, third, and so forth. Therefore, he suggests Paul’s analogy is more apt to be the Olympics than the political bema seat of government. Believers must all appear before the bema seat, but not to be judged for sin.