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.”
Judgment is a fact in this life as well as the next. Based upon one’s spiritual orientation in this temporal life, both Christians and non-believers face an eternal judgment but the nature of that judgment is very, very different. Are Christians held accountable for sins? If so, what is the difference in judgment between the Christian and the non-believer? To determine the Biblical answer, we look to:
- Historical
Context: Written between 55-57 A.D., 2 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 1
identifies the author of the Book of 2 Corinthians as the Apostle Paul,
possibly along with Timothy. Titus’
report to Paul which sparked this second letter was encouraging, but evidently
it also brought troubling news that some at Corinth were questioning Paul’s authority as
an apostle. This doubt may have been planted by “Judaizing teachers”
who seemed to follow Paul and attempted to undermine his teaching concerning
the Law. They appear to have questioned his veracity (2 Corinthians 1:15-17),
his speaking ability (2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6), and his unwillingness to
accept support from the church at Corinth
(2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 12:13). There were also some people who had not repented
of their licentious behavior (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).
He hopes that by writing in advance of his visit he can get all of the necessary rebuke out of the way (2 Corinthians 1:23-2:3; 13:10). He also uses the opportunity to encourage them to have the collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem ready when he comes (2 Corinthians 9:1-5; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2), all of which is their duty given Christ’s judgment as to their action or inaction on His behalf.
- Grammatical Usage: The phrase “us” is from the Greek word “hemies” which is the emphatic version of us…literally meaning, “the entire body of us” which is a direct reference to the Christian. None will escape the subpoena (Rom 14:10). “Bad” in the Greek is “kakos” meaning, “lack in a person of those qualities which should be possessed and then demonstrated; bad character leading to injury or baneful (deadly; causing distress or death; destructive) result. Specifically in V. 10 the opposite of “good” which is “agathopoieo” in the Greek meaning, “to the benefit of another…well doing.”
- Literal Application: Because all of us (every individual Christian) must appear before the judgment throne of Christ, in order that each one receive recompense for the things done through the body, in accord with that which he has done, whether good or worthless.”
- Contextual
Interpretation: In the context of this Scripture, it is clear that it
refers to Christians, not unbelievers. The Judgment Seat of Christ, therefore,
involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ. The Judgment
Seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s
sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2), and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of
our sins are forgiven and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the Judgment Seat of
Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives…or
not as the case may be. Yes, as the Scriptures say, we will have to give an
account of our lives. Part of this is surely answering for the sins which held
us from the full service of God. However, that is not going to be the primary
focus of the Judgment Seat of Christ.
At the Judgment Seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The things we will likely be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), how well we controlled our tongue (James 3:1-9), etc. The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; and Revelation 2:10. James 1:12 is a good summary of how we should think about the Judgment Seat of Christ, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
- Scriptural Comparison: The Great White Throne Judgment, found in Revelation 20:11-15, is the final judgment prior to the lost being cast into the lake of fire (the place of eternal punishment commonly known as hell). We know from Revelation 20:7-15 that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan, the beast, and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). The books that are opened (Revelation 20:12) contain records of everyone’s deeds whether they are good or evil, because God knows everything that has ever been said, done, or even thought; and He will reward or punish each one accordingly (Psalm 28:4; Psalm 62:12; Romans 2:6; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 18:6; Revelation 22:12).
Also at this time another book is opened: the “book of life” (Revelation 20:12). It is this book that determines whether a person will inherit eternal life with God or receive everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. Although Christians are held accountable for their actions, they are forgiven in Christ and their names were written in the “book of life from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 17:8). We also know from Scripture that it is at this judgment that Jesus will judge “the dead according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12) and that “anyone’s name” that is not “found written in the book of life” will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
The fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all men, both believers and unbelievers, is clearly confirmed in many passages of Scripture. Every single person will one day stand before Christ and be judged for their deeds. While it is very clear that the Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of Christ, Christians do disagree on how it relates to the other judgments mentioned in the Bible, and as to exactly who will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.
Many Christians believe that the Scriptures reveal three different judgments to come. The first is the judgment of the “sheep and the goats” or a “judgment of the nations” and is seen in Matthew 25:31-36. They believe it takes place after the tribulation period but prior to the millennium and that it is to determine who will get to enter into the millennium kingdom. As we have cited, the second is a judgment of believers’ works, often referred to as the “judgment (bema) seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10); at which time Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God. The third is the “Great White Throne” judgment at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15); which is the judgment of unbelievers in which they are judged according to their works and sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.
Other Christians believe that all three of these judgments as seen in Matthew 25:31-36; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 20:11-15 speak of the same final judgment, not of three separate judgments. In other words, those that hold this view believe that the “Great White Throne” judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 will be the time that both believers and unbelievers alike are judged. Those whose names are found in the “book of life” will be judged for their deeds in order to determine the rewards or loss of rewards that they will receive; and those whose names are not in the “book of life” will be judged according to their deeds to determine the degree of punishment they will receive in the lake of fire. Those that hold this view believe that Matthew 25:31-46 is another description of what takes place at the “Great White Throne” judgment. They point to the fact that the result of this judgment is the same as what is seen after the “Great White Throne” judgment in Revelation 20:11-15. The “sheep” (believers) enter into eternal life while the “goats” (unbelievers) are cast into “everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46).
Whichever view one holds of the “Great White Throne” judgment, it is important to never lose sight of three very important facts concerning the coming judgment or judgments: 1—That Jesus Christ will be the judge; 2—that all unbelievers will be judged by Christ, and that they will be punished according to the deeds that they did. The Bible is very clear that the unbeliever is storing up “wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5), and that God will “render to each one according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6); 3—that believers will also be judged by Christ, but since Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to them and their names are written in the “book of life,” they will be rewarded according to the deeds that they did in accordance to scriptural obedience. Romans 14:10-12 is very clear that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and that each one of us will “give an account of himself to God.”
- Conclusion: Without a doubt the Bible is very clear that everybody, believer and unbeliever alike, will someday stand before Christ to be judged. But the good news for the believer is that our judgment will not be to determine if we are cast into the lake of fire, because that was settled once we believed the gospel and became “children of God.” Those that are truly saved have benefited from the great exchange in which our sins are accounted to Christ and His righteousness is imputed to us. So, while our salvation is secure in Christ we will “still give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12), and should strive to do all things for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Here we pay the opportunity cost of Christian resources wasted in the markets of the world (1 Cor. 3:15). That God is serious about this judgment is clear in V. 11.