Why does Les dislike the King James translation "judgment seat" in 2 Corinthians 5:10?
The King James phrase “judgment seat” is disliked because it scares people, while the Greek word is bema—a raised platform or judge’s seat. In this context, believers appear before the bema not to be judged for sin, so the term can mislead.
Les teaches that he wishes the King James translators had not used the word judgment, because it scares people. The Greek word is bema, and all must appear before the bema seat. He explains that the bema was usually just a raised platform, such as the ruins at ancient Corinth, not much higher than the platform he was using. The party to be judged stood before the judges on the bema, but the term was also used in the Olympic games for the judges’ seat to determine first, second, and third places. Les suggests Paul more likely has the Olympic analogy in mind than the political bema seat of government. Looking at it as an Olympic sports event, we must all appear before the bema seat, not to be judged for our sin. He stresses this because many people wonder whether trials and tribulations come from past sin. He asks whether they are a believer and a child of God; if they know they are saved, he questions where they get the idea that sin is still on their back.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
More Questions
What is the Greek word for "judgment seat" in 2 Corinthians 5:10?
The Greek word behind the King James word "judgment" in 2 Corinthians 5:10 is "bema," and it is the bema seat that believers must all appear before.