2 Corinthians 5:10
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The assertion that 'we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil' grounds ethical urgency in eschatological accountability. The 'judgment seat' (bema) was a raised platform in Greco-Roman city squares where magistrates rendered verdicts, a familiar image to Paul's urban audience. The scope — 'we all,' including Paul and his co-workers — prevents any reading that exempts believers from scrutiny at Christ's judgment. The verse integrates with Paul's teaching on grace (each receives what is due to what was done in the body) without resolving the tension into either pure merit or pure grace, but holding both within a single eschatological horizon.
Other Translations
For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
for all of us it behoveth to be manifested before the tribunal of the Christ, that each one may receive the things <FI>done<Fi> through the body, in reference to the things that he did, whether good or evil;
For we all have to come before Christ to be judged; so that every one of us may get his reward for the things done in the body, good or bad.
Cross References
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the …
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God …
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord …
Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his …
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his …
For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his …
Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me …
The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that …
But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.