2 Corinthians 5:10
What does 2 Corinthians 5:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 5:10 means
Paul states a universal and searching truth: “we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ.” Nothing will be hidden; each will receive what is due for deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. This is not meant to unsettle assurance, but to instill holy seriousness. Christ evaluates the reality of our lives, testing the quality of our works. Accountability dignifies our choices and exposes hypocrisy. For believers, this judgment refines reward and reveals faith’s fruit; for all, it underscores Christ’s lordship. The verse invites integrity now, since our lives will be openly reviewed by the One who died and rose for us.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done, whether it be good or evil.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil.
Context
Verse 10 explains the urgency of verse 9’s aim to please the Lord: all will appear before Christ’s tribunal. This solemn note naturally ushers in verse 11, where Paul speaks of knowing the fear of the Lord and persuading people, while appealing to God’s and the Corinthians’ knowledge of his integrity. The transition moves from doctrine (future judgment) to ministry posture (persuasion, transparency), which Paul then contrasts with outward-focused opponents in verse 12.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 3:10
Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
- Ephesians 6:8
knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
- Romans 14:10
But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.
- Psalms 50:3
Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence: A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him.
- Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
- 1 Peter 4:5
who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
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