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10 For we must all appear[a] before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.(A)

The Ministry of Reconciliation. 11 [b]Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we are clearly apparent to God, and I hope we are also apparent to your consciousness.(B) 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you may have something to say to those who boast of external appearance rather than of the heart.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 5:10 We must all appear: the verb is ambiguous: we are scheduled to “appear” for judgment, at which we will be “revealed” as we are (cf. 2 Cor 11; 2:14; 4:10–11).
  2. 5:11–15 This paragraph is transitional. Paul sums up much that has gone before. Still playing on the term “appearance,” he reasserts his transparency before God and the Corinthians, in contrast to the self-commendation, boasting, and preoccupation with externals that characterize some others (cf. 2 Cor 1:12–14; 2:14; 3:1; 3:7–4:6). 2 Cor 5:14 recalls 2 Cor 3:7–4:6, and sums up 2 Cor 4:7–5:10.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(A) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(B) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(C) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(D) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(E) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

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