[B-Greek] 2 Corinthians 5.10
ARTHUR CASCI
amcasci at earthlink.net
Mon Nov 15 07:40:23 EST 2004
I am new to this list and it is my first posting. I am a pastor and by no means a Greek scholar. My question is concerning two works found in 2 5.10 where Paul says we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and receive rewards for what we have done in our body whether good or bad. My question has to do with those words "good or bad" (agathos and phaulos) and in particular phaulos. I am wondering if the typical translation of "good and bad" has missed something very important. First of all the context indicates that the "we" throughout this section refers only to Christians. So, if the traditional translation of "good and bad" stands, then some Christians will receive some sort of punishment at the judgment seat. I have a problem with that. The only place where any sort of reprimand or punishment for Christians is mentioned in connection with the judgment is in 1 Cor. 3 where Paul is not speaking about Christians in general but only those who publicly teach the Gospel. Matthew 25 says nothing about Christians being reprimanded at the judgement seat. They receive only rewards for good works. The word phaulos is not merely identical to kakos which clearly means bad or evil. Phaulos can also mean "trivial" or "light". If this can stand up to scrutiny, the text would mean that all Christians who appear before the judgment seat of Christ will receive rewards for all their works whether "noble" or "trivial". This connects to Jesus words that if we give a cup of cold water to one little one who believes we will not lose our reward. Giving a cup of cold water is trivial or light compared to being martyred for Christ.
So, what do you scholars think? I know I am going way out of the main stream on this one.
Art Casci
ARTHUR CASCI
amcasci at earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
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