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BEMA*
Greek term for a judgment seat or tribunal of a Roman official. Although the term also means “to step” or “stride,” it was used in the first century AD primarily to denote an elevated area or platform (reached by steps) from which political orations or judicial decisions were made. Excavations in the city of Corinth have revealed a large, elaborately decorated bema located in the center of the marketplace.
In the NT, Jesus was questioned before the judgment seat of Pilate (Mt 27:19; Jn 19:13). Herod Agrippa I addressed the people of Tyre and Sidon from a bema (Acts 12:21). The apostle Paul was brought before the tribunal of Gallio in Corinth (18:12-17) and again before Festus’s tribunal in Caesarea (25:6, 10, 17).
In two passages, Paul used the term to refer to God’s judgment seat. In Romans 14:10 he warned those who would arrogantly judge others that all must stand before the tribunal of God. According to 2 Corinthians 5:10, the merits of each person’s work will be determined before the judgment seat of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 3:13-15).
See also Judgment; Judgment Seat; Last Judgment.