2 Corinthians 5:11

Respect for the Lord since He would be his judge ("the fear of the Lord," 2 Corinthians 5:10) motivated Paul to carry out his work of persuading people to believe the gospel. A healthy sense of our accountability to God should move us to fulfill our calling as Christians (Matthew 28:19-20).

"According to 2 Corinthians 5:11, the judgment seat is the place where the ’terror of the Lord’ will be manifested. The word ’terror’ in this verse is a translation of the Greek word phobos, referring to ’that which causes fear,’ ’terror,’ ’apprehension.’ This is the same word translated ’fearful’ in Hebrews 10:31 . . . another reference to events at the judgment seat." [Note: Chitwood, p. 31.]

Paul had a double purpose. The NEB translates "we persuade men" as "we address our appeal to men." Paul tried to persuade people of the truth of the gospel but also of the truth about himself. His motives were pure (2 Corinthians 1:12), and his conduct had been consistent with his apostleship (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6). Paul’s knowledge that his life was an open book to God led him to voice the hope that it would be transparent to all the Corinthians too.

"The ministry is ultimately responsible to God. Christian ministers are servants of the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:5), attendants of Christ and stewards of God (1 Corinthians 4:1); they discharge their ministry ’in the sight of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:2; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5) as ’knowing the fear of the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:11)." [Note: Ronald Y. K. Fung, "The Nature of the Ministry according to Paul," Evangelical Quarterly 54 (1982):138.]