2 Corinthians 5:10 And The Coming Judgment - Part 1
Paul penned the words of 2 Corinthians 5:10 that say,
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Paul’s theology of the judgment to come was established in the Jewish Scriptures (Genesis - Malachi). To understand what he means in 2 Corinthians 5:10, we must understand his theology of judgment from these Scriptures.
This is an exhaustive study on the biblical theology of judgment, but hopefully not an exhausting study. Our goal is to understand 2 Corinthians 5:10 more clearly once this study is complete.
Let’s look at Paul’s theology of judgment established in the Jewish Scriptures.
Psalm 1:4-6 (NAS)
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 37:20
But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.
Psalm 37:29
But the righteous shall inherit the earth, and dwell upon it for ever.
Psalm 62:12
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
Psalm 68:2
As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.
Proverbs 10:30
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, "Behold, we did not know about this," does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?
Ecclesiastes 3:17
I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed."
Jeremiah 32:19
The One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
Daniel 12: 1-3
But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise a will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Malachi 3:18
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
These verses in the Jewish Scriptures clearly teach that the unrighteous will perish in judgment and not live upon the earth, but the righteous will live eternally upon the earth. This judgment will take place just prior to the establishment of the new earth. The unrighteous will perish in judgement by being removed from the earth and thrown into the lake of fire. The righteous will live eternally on the new earth. We will examine this judgment later in our study.
Not only was Paul’s theology of the judgment to come established in the Jewish Scriptures, Jesus’ theology of the judgment to come was also established in the same Jewish Scriptures, which helps us understand what he said in the following verses.
Matthew 13:37-43
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace [Revelation 20:11-15], where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father [Revelation 21:1-5]. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 13:47-50
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish [believers] in baskets, but threw the bad away [unbelievers]. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous [this is consistent with what the Jewish Scriptures teach] and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done [see Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 32:9].”
Matthew 25:46
“Then he will say to those [nations or people] on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels [Revelation 20:14]…And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life [Revelation 21:1-5]."
John 3:16-18 and 36 talk about salvation, judgment, perishing, and condemnation.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish [in judgment] but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son….36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them [they will perish in judgment according to the Jewish Scriptures - see Psalm 1:6].
John 5:24-30 (see also Daniel 12:2-3)
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good [believe in Jesus – John 6:28-29] will rise to live [eternal life], and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned [see Daniel 12:2-3].
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 11:24 (see Daniel 12:2-3 and John 5:24-30)
Martha replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
Peter and Paul both talked about the judgment to come, which also was established in Jewish theology.
Acts 10:42-43 (Peter)
“He [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 17:29-31 (Paul)
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed [see also 2 Timothy 1:4]. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
In Acts 24:15, Paul speaks about the resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous (wicked, ungodly) for judgment.
“… there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”
Paul’s understanding of the resurrection of the wicked and righteous for judgment is rooted in Daniel 12:2-3 and the verses from the Jewish Scriptures quoted in this study, as well as other Jewish Scriptures..
Acts 24:25, Paul talked about the judgment to come.
As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix [the Roman governor of Judea and Samaria] was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
In Romans, Paul explains how a person becomes righteous apart from the law, enabling the righteous to live eternally, while the unrighteous will perish in judgment.
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation [from the wrath to come upon the sinner, the ungodly, the unrighteous; salvation to eternal life] to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
Romans 2:2-5
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 2:6-11
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [Psalm 62:12, Proverbs 24:12; Matthew 16:27] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality [which no one does – see Romans 3:9-20], he will give eternal life [because no one does good, God will not give eternal life to anyone based upon merit]. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger [this is everybody]. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good [our only “good” is believing in Jesus – John 6:28-29] first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Romans 2:12-16
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous [no one obeys the law - see Romans 3:19-20]. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written [in Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20] “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Because there are none who do good, who are righteous, then God cannot give eternal life to anyone based upon merit. Yet he graciously provides righteousness to all and eternal life for all through Jesus. His provision is received by faith in Jesus, as Paul writes about in Romans 3:21-24.
Romans 3:21-24
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed – namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Let’s continue with what Paul and Peter said about the judgment to come.
But first, let’s take a quick look about what Paul said about judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:5.
1 Corinthians 3:8, 14-15; 4:1-5
He who plants and he who waters [teachers] are one in purpose, and each [teacher] will be rewarded according to his own labor…If what has been built survives, the builder [teacher] will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:5 that teachers will be judged for rewards when the Lord judges teachers. Some will gain rewards, others will lose rewards. Many pastors teach that 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:5 refer to believers; however, the context is specifically about teachers of the message of Jesus. Here is an article I wrote on the topic: Escaping Through The Flames
Okay, back to what Paul and Peter said about the judgment to come.
2 Timothy 4:1
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom…
2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
2 Peter 2:9 (see also Jude 15)
…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Peter describes this judgment in 2 Peter 3:7-13.
2 Peter 3:7-13
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly [see the Jewish Scriptures when God removes all sin and sinners from the earth…the unrighteous, the ungodly, all the wicked, which is everyone as Paul describes in Romans 1:18-3:20 – however, those who trust in Jesus are now righteous saints and will remain on the earth and will live on the new earth]. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise [establishing the new earth following the judgment to come], as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish [in judgment as described in the Jewish Scriptures – see also John 3:16], but everyone to come to repentance [admit their sinful condition and turn to Jesus for righteousness and salvation]. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief [the day of wrath when all sins and sinners are removed from the earth]. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare [Revelation 20:9]. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells [Revelation 21-22].
The writer of Hebrews writes about the judgment to come.
Hebrews 4:2-3, 11
For we [the Jewish people] have also have had the good news [about entering into the new testament of grace – the spiritual Promise Land of Grace] proclaimed to us [Jewish people], just as they did [those who were told about the land of Canaan – the earthly Promise Land]; but the message they heard [those at the edge of the land of Canaan] was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those [Joshua and Caleb] who obeyed [trusted God-believed]. Now we [those who believe in Jesus] who have believed enter that rest [the Promise Land of Grace]…Let us [the Jewish people], therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish [in judgment] by following their [those who refused to enter the earthly Promise Land - Canaan because of unbelief] example of disobedience [unbelief].
Hebrews 10:26-31
If we [Jewish people] deliberately keep on sinning [continue to sacrifice animals for forgiveness of sins and salvation because of unbelief in Jesus as the Christ and his work on the cross…continuing to follow the law of Moses for salvation] after we have received the knowledge of the truth [about Jesus as the Christ and the establishment of the new testament of grace in his blood], no sacrifice for sins is left [the Jewish people were wasting their time sacrificing animals, because Jesus was the final sacrifice for sins…there were no more sacrifices to be made], but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God [the enemies of God in context are the Jewish people who rejected Jesus as the Christ and his work on the cross and continued to sacrifice animals for forgiveness of sins. The enemies are also everyone who rejected Jesus who will perish in judgment – 2 Peter 3:7-13]. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot [rejecting Jesus as the Christ and his blood shed on the cross], who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant [the Jewish people in AD 65 viewed the blood of Jesus that established the new testament of grace as worthless] that sanctified them [paid the price for their sins but rejected the payment], and who has insulted the Spirit of grace [the Spirit is leading the Jewish people to Jesus as the Christ and his work on the cross for salvation, yet many insulted the Spirit by rejecting Jesus and his blood shed on the cross]? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people [the Jewish people for rejecting Jesus as the Christ and his blood shed on the cross].” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God [judgment/wrath for rejecting Jesus that will be carried out in Revelation 20:11-15].
So far, we have looked at the theology of judgment that was established in the Jewish Scriptures. We saw that Jesus’, Paul’s, Peter’s, and the writer’s of Hebrews theology of judgment was established in the Jewish Scriptures.
In the following verses, John writes in Revelation what he saw concerning the judgment to come. His vision provides the final information on the judgment to come.
Revelation 20:11-15 – The judgment unbelievers will face.
Jesus will first bring salvation when he returns to establish his 1000-year reign on earth as king; then, after a short time, the new heaven and earth will be established (Revelation 20:1-11). It is short time after Jesus’ 1000-year reign that judgment will take place. The unrighteous will be removed from his kingdom by the angels, and the righteous will remain to live on the new earth (Matthew 13:37-43, 47-50).
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened [books of unbelievers, the unrighteous]. Another book was opened [book of believers, the righteous], which is the book of life. The dead [unbelievers, unrighteous ones] were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books [the books of unbelievers]. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person [unbelievers] was judged according to what they [unbelievers] had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life [book of believers] was thrown into the lake of fire [the consuming fire of Hebrews 10:27 and 12:28-29; see also Matthew 13:40-50; Matthew 25:46].
Revelation 21:1-5 – The salvation that Jesus will bring.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” [2 Peter 3:13] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ’He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ [Isaiah 25:8] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
With this understanding of judgment, let’s now examine 2 Corinthians 5:10 in Part Two of 2 Corinthians 5:10 And The Coming Judgment. To read Part Two, click below:
