Judgment Seat

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Βῆμα (Strong'S #968 — Noun Neuter — bema — bay'-ma )

primarily, "a step, a pace" (akin to baino, "to go"), as in  Acts 7:5 , translated "to set (his foot) on," lit., "foot-room," was used to denote a raised place or platform, reached by steps, originally that at Athens in the Pnyx Hill, where was the place of assembly; from the platform orations were made. The word became used for a tribune, two of which were provided in the law courts of Greece, one for the accuser and one for the defendant; it was applied to the tribunal of a Roman magistrate or ruler,  Matthew 27:19;  John 19:13;  Acts 12:21 , translated "throne;" 18:12,16,17; 25:6,10,17.

 Romans 14:10  2—Corinthians 5:10 John 5:22,27 1—Corinthians 3:15 Matthew 25:31 Revelation 20:11

2: Κριτήριον (Strong'S #2922 — Noun Neuter — kriterion — kree-tay'-ree-on )

primarily "a means of judging" (akin to krino, "to judge:" Eng., "criterion"), then, a tribunal, law court, or "lawsuit,"  1—Corinthians 6:2 (last clause), for which see Judge , B, No. 3, Note (1); 6:4, for which see Judgment , Note (1) at end;  James 2:6 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 27:19 Acts 18:12 Romans 14:10  2 Corinthians 5:10Crucifixion CrossJerusalemJudgment Day

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 27:19Gabbatha

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

( βῆμα , bḗma , "a raised place," "platform," "tribune,"   Matthew 27:19;  John 19:13; see Gabbatha;  Acts 12:21 margin (text "throne");   Acts 18:12 ,  Acts 18:16 ff;   Acts 25:6 ,  Acts 25:17 ): In Greek law courts, one bēma was provided for the accuser, another for the accused; but in the New Testament the word designates the official scat of a judge, usually of the Roman governor; also of the emperor ( Acts 25:10 ); then of God ( Romans 14:10 ), of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:10 ). The word κριτήριον , kritḗrion , "a tribunal," "bench of judges" ( James 2:6 ) occurs also in  1 Corinthians 6:2-4 , and is there translated in the Revised Version margin by "tribunals." See also Judge .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Judgment Seat'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/j/judgment-seat.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.