2 Corinthians 5:10-11

5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ¹  so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil. ² 

The Message of Reconciliation

5:11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, ³  we try to persuade ⁴  people, ⁵  but we are well known ⁶  to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

2 Corinthians 9:13

9:13 Through the evidence ⁷  of this service ⁸  they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing ⁹  with them and with everyone.

2 Corinthians 10:2

10:2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving ¹⁰  according to human standards. ¹¹ 

2 Corinthians 10:7

10:7 You are looking at outward appearances. ¹²  If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

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¹ sn The judgment seat (βῆμα, bhma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a common item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city. Use of the term in reference to Christ’s judgment would be familiar to Paul’s 1st century readers.

² tn Or “whether good or bad.”

³ tn Or “because we know what it means to fear the Lord.”

⁴ tn The present tense of πείθομεν (peiqomen) has been translated as a conative present.

⁵ tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is generic here since clearly both men and women are in view (Paul did not attempt to win only men to the gospel he preached).

⁶ tn Or “clearly evident.” BDAG 1048 s.v. φανερόω 2.b.β has “θεῷ πεφανερώμεθα we are well known to God 2 Cor 5:11a, cp. 11b; 11:6 v.l.”

⁷ tn Or “proof,” or perhaps “testing” (NRSV).

⁸ tn Or “ministry.”

⁹ tn Or “your partnership”; Grk “your fellowship.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “consider us as walking.”

¹¹ tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

¹² tn The phrase is close to a recognized idiom for judging based on outward appearances (L&N 30.120). Some translators see a distinction, however, and translate 2 Cor 10:7a as “Look at what is in front of your eyes,” that is, the obvious facts of the case (so NRSV).