Why does Paul compare the bema seat to the Olympics instead of a political court?
Paul compares the bema to the Olympics because the bema was the raised seat where judges determined first, second, and third places in the games. He wants believers to see it as an Olympic-style judging seat, not a political court for condemning sin.
Les explains that the King James translators used “judgment,” which scares people, but the Greek word is bema. The bema was usually just a raised platform; in Corinth it was a tourist attraction, and the judged party would stand before the judges on the bema seat. Yet it was also used in the Olympic games for the judges who determined first, second, and third places. Les says this is the analogy Paul is more apt to have in mind—the Olympics rather than the political situation at the bema seat of government. So from an Olympic sports event scenario, we must all appear before the bema seat, not to be judged for our sin. Les stresses that believers should not think they are going through trials because of past sin; if they are a child of God and saved, they should not believe sin is still on their back.