DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH DEGREES
OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL?
OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL?
A Scene from Dante's Inferno
During the course of my Christian life, when I would hear preachers talk about eternal torment in hellfire, there was usually mention also that there would be 'degrees of punishment in hell'.
The teaching is simply that those who had greater light and understanding, yet rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be inflicted with more torment in hell, than those who never had a chance to hear, but yet are still without excuse. On a recent radio broadcast of 'The Bible Answer Man ' I heard Hank Hannagraf state:
The teaching is simply that those who had greater light and understanding, yet rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be inflicted with more torment in hell, than those who never had a chance to hear, but yet are still without excuse. On a recent radio broadcast of 'The Bible Answer Man ' I heard Hank Hannagraf state:
'It just makes logical sense that Adolph Hitler would have to suffer more than your everyday garden variety pagan.'
The purpose of our present inquiry is: Does the Bible really teach this doctrine, and if so, where is it to be found?
Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all products of our learning and instruction to some extent. Things which we have learned from early childhood and have come to take for granted can sometimes blind us to a truth which would otherwise be obvious.
In our day, the battle cry among evangelicals and fundamentalists is their stand for the absolute authority and infallibility of the Word of God. Almost all Christian denominations, regardless of their differences in belief, claim that their beliefs are based solely on the scriptures.
The problem is, it's very easy to say anything - proving it from the scriptures is something altogether different. It's easy to say 'the Bible teaches that there are degrees of suffering and punishment in hell', but can this be proven from the Bible? Scores of Christian people assume it can. Many people are convinced that the Bible teaches this without personally being able to cite one reference in support of this theory.
We hear much talk about how we must preach only what the scriptures CLEARLY SAY, without injecting or overlaying them with our own theories and prejudices. Obviously this is what any sincere student of the Bible MUST strive to do. Often this is easier said than done.
In the following study, I would ask the reader to please consider carefully what the scriptures actually SAY and what they DO NOT say. Ask yourself if the scriptures REALLY support what you have been taught to believe, or will they only support your belief when overlaid with assumptions and theories?
With these questions in mind we'll proceed to list the 'proof-texts' in support of the theory that there are degrees of punishment and suffering in hell.
Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all products of our learning and instruction to some extent. Things which we have learned from early childhood and have come to take for granted can sometimes blind us to a truth which would otherwise be obvious.
In our day, the battle cry among evangelicals and fundamentalists is their stand for the absolute authority and infallibility of the Word of God. Almost all Christian denominations, regardless of their differences in belief, claim that their beliefs are based solely on the scriptures.
The problem is, it's very easy to say anything - proving it from the scriptures is something altogether different. It's easy to say 'the Bible teaches that there are degrees of suffering and punishment in hell', but can this be proven from the Bible? Scores of Christian people assume it can. Many people are convinced that the Bible teaches this without personally being able to cite one reference in support of this theory.
We hear much talk about how we must preach only what the scriptures CLEARLY SAY, without injecting or overlaying them with our own theories and prejudices. Obviously this is what any sincere student of the Bible MUST strive to do. Often this is easier said than done.
In the following study, I would ask the reader to please consider carefully what the scriptures actually SAY and what they DO NOT say. Ask yourself if the scriptures REALLY support what you have been taught to believe, or will they only support your belief when overlaid with assumptions and theories?
With these questions in mind we'll proceed to list the 'proof-texts' in support of the theory that there are degrees of punishment and suffering in hell.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matt 10:14-15
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Matt 11:21-22
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Matt 11:23-24
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Mark 6:11
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Luke 10:10-12
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. Luke 10:13-14
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:46-48
To my knowledge, the seven passages of scripture listed above are the only ones which have ever been advanced by those who teach that there will be degrees of punishment in hell. If any other exist, then I am certainly not aware of them.
Let us carefully examine these passages one at a time and see if we can locate this teaching.
Certainly this teaching is nowhere to be found in Matthew 10:14-15.
Let us carefully examine these passages one at a time and see if we can locate this teaching.
Certainly this teaching is nowhere to be found in Matthew 10:14-15.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matt 10:14-15
Now I would ask the reader; Where in this passage is there any mention of degrees of punishment for individuals in hell? If such a doctrine is true, and we feel it right to state that 'the Bible teaches such and such' then we must be able to locate it in clear and unequivocal language.
I realize that some might look at the above passage and immediately say, 'but the passage does speak of degrees of punishment; that it will be more tolerable for some than others.'
Yes, my friend, it does, and with that thought I am in complete agreement. However, the passage DOES NOT say that these varying degrees of punishment take place in HELL.
A note on Matthew 10:15 in the Dake's Annotated Study Bible says:
I realize that some might look at the above passage and immediately say, 'but the passage does speak of degrees of punishment; that it will be more tolerable for some than others.'
Yes, my friend, it does, and with that thought I am in complete agreement. However, the passage DOES NOT say that these varying degrees of punishment take place in HELL.
A note on Matthew 10:15 in the Dake's Annotated Study Bible says:
'Teaching degrees of punishment in hell.'
A note in the Defender's Study Bible states:
'This statement clearly sets forth the principle of degrees of punishment in hell, corresponding to degrees of reward in heaven'
It does? I would ask them, and you also my reader, where? Where does this passage set forth this principle? This passage simply does not say 'in hell' at all. Someone may immediately think: 'Well that is the clear implication of the passage.'
To this I have two replies. First, as I stated earlier, the goal of any sincere student of the Bible must be to teach only those things which the Bible clearly SAYS without injecting them with our own personal prejudices.
Second, not only does this passage NOT say that these punishments are meted out in hell, but on the contrary it states emphatically and in clear language at what time these punishments DO take place:
in the day of judgment
If the punishments spoken of in this passage take place IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT then clearly they CANNOT take place IN HELL!
Furthermore, it is more tolerable for 'the LAND' of Sodom and Gomorrah, than for 'THAT CITY'. So, in order to be true to the text these punishments must be executed on cities and lands IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Any other wresting of the text in order to make it teach more than it plainly says is neither wise nor honest.
If it be admitted that Matthew 10:15 will not support this theory, then those who cling to it are certainly in dire straights as we proceed to examine the next five passage; for they all speak in the exact same language!
To this I have two replies. First, as I stated earlier, the goal of any sincere student of the Bible must be to teach only those things which the Bible clearly SAYS without injecting them with our own personal prejudices.
Second, not only does this passage NOT say that these punishments are meted out in hell, but on the contrary it states emphatically and in clear language at what time these punishments DO take place:
in the day of judgment
If the punishments spoken of in this passage take place IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT then clearly they CANNOT take place IN HELL!
Furthermore, it is more tolerable for 'the LAND' of Sodom and Gomorrah, than for 'THAT CITY'. So, in order to be true to the text these punishments must be executed on cities and lands IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Any other wresting of the text in order to make it teach more than it plainly says is neither wise nor honest.
If it be admitted that Matthew 10:15 will not support this theory, then those who cling to it are certainly in dire straights as we proceed to examine the next five passage; for they all speak in the exact same language!
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyreand Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable forTyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Matt 11:21-22
Here we see again these same punishments taking place upon lands and citiesIN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Matt 11:23-24
Again the scriptures are relentless in failing to bend to this theory. However, at this passage, someone will immediately stop me and say 'See there, this passage does talk about hell.. It says 'Capernaum would be brought down to hell'.
Yes, it does, but let us not get too excited until we examine the entire passage carefully. First of all, it is the CITY of Capernaum which is being spoken of, not individuals. I ask: Is this passage teaching that the entire city was to go down literally to a place of fiery torment? If you believe this is what this passage is saying, then you must also have no problem believing that Capernaum was literally in heaven before being brought down!
Second, the word 'hell' here is actually Hades in the Greek language, which signifies not a place of fiery torment, but the death state. In figurative language, Jesus was stating that although the city had enjoyed such great privilege by being the home of much of his earthly ministry, it would be reduced to ruins because it had rejected him.
The Encarta Virtual Globe States about Capernaum:
Yes, it does, but let us not get too excited until we examine the entire passage carefully. First of all, it is the CITY of Capernaum which is being spoken of, not individuals. I ask: Is this passage teaching that the entire city was to go down literally to a place of fiery torment? If you believe this is what this passage is saying, then you must also have no problem believing that Capernaum was literally in heaven before being brought down!
Second, the word 'hell' here is actually Hades in the Greek language, which signifies not a place of fiery torment, but the death state. In figurative language, Jesus was stating that although the city had enjoyed such great privilege by being the home of much of his earthly ministry, it would be reduced to ruins because it had rejected him.
The Encarta Virtual Globe States about Capernaum:
'Today only a few ruins of Capernaum's old town remain'
Capernaum Cast Down To Hades
Just as Jesus had predicted, the city was reduced from greatness to ruinous non-existence.
This passage does however speak of it being 'more tolerable' for Sodom than for Capernaum at a future date. When will this occur? In hell as we have been taught? A thousand times NO!
in the day of judgment
Friends, that is not my interpretation, that is what your Bible says!
Our next three passage yield nothing but more of the same:
This passage does however speak of it being 'more tolerable' for Sodom than for Capernaum at a future date. When will this occur? In hell as we have been taught? A thousand times NO!
in the day of judgment
Friends, that is not my interpretation, that is what your Bible says!
Our next three passage yield nothing but more of the same:
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment,than for that city. Mark 6:11
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Luke 10:10-12
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyreand Sidon at the judgment, than for you. Luke 10:13-14
In every passage in which we are informed this doctrine is located, we find nothing even remotely approaching such a teaching. Every one of these passages deals with lands and cities, IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, NOT INDIVIDUALS IN HELL!
Now, if these passages all speak of punishments which take place IN the Day of Judgment, then clearly to any unprejudiced mind, they speak not a word about anything which happens FOLLOWING the day of Judgment. These verses can never be applied to 'degrees of punishment in hell' unless those who hold this view can prove that these verses speak of conditions which FOLLOW the judgment. I maintain that this has never been done, nor ever can be, for all of them expressly state 'In the day of judgment' or 'at the judgment'.
To illustrate the impossibility of these words meaning 'in hell' let's consider a few more passages:
Now, if these passages all speak of punishments which take place IN the Day of Judgment, then clearly to any unprejudiced mind, they speak not a word about anything which happens FOLLOWING the day of Judgment. These verses can never be applied to 'degrees of punishment in hell' unless those who hold this view can prove that these verses speak of conditions which FOLLOW the judgment. I maintain that this has never been done, nor ever can be, for all of them expressly state 'In the day of judgment' or 'at the judgment'.
To illustrate the impossibility of these words meaning 'in hell' let's consider a few more passages:
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matt 12:36
Does this verse teach that men will be required to give an account of every idle word once they are in hell? Of course not, no one believes that. This verse means what it says; an account for every idle word must be given IN the Day of Judgment. In the same way, punishments to whatever degree take place IN the Day of Judgment. Not one word is said about suffering or torment following the judgment.
Again:
Again:
The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Luke 11:32
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Matt 12:42
Notice again how 'in the judgment' simply cannot be misconstrued to mean 'in hell'. Notice carefully that the men of Nineveh, and the Queen of the South rise up 'IN the judgment'. The passage simply cannot mean that these rise up 'in hell'.
The implication is that both the queen of the south, and the men of Nineveh are considered more noble than those generations which heard Jesus and rejected him. Therefore it will be more tolerable for both the men of Nineveh and the queen of the south IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Again, there is not one word spoken about torment or suffering following the judgment.
As I've said before, I will now repeat: The passages of scripture which speak of conditions 'more tolerable' for some than others 'in the day of judgment' cannot be used to teach degrees of punishment in hell unless those who hold this view can prove that these verses speak of conditions which FOLLOW the judgment.
Again, this has never been done, nor can it ever be.
We are left with only one remaining passage:
The implication is that both the queen of the south, and the men of Nineveh are considered more noble than those generations which heard Jesus and rejected him. Therefore it will be more tolerable for both the men of Nineveh and the queen of the south IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Again, there is not one word spoken about torment or suffering following the judgment.
As I've said before, I will now repeat: The passages of scripture which speak of conditions 'more tolerable' for some than others 'in the day of judgment' cannot be used to teach degrees of punishment in hell unless those who hold this view can prove that these verses speak of conditions which FOLLOW the judgment.
Again, this has never been done, nor can it ever be.
We are left with only one remaining passage:
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:46-48
No matter what conclusions we reach about this passage, we must not try to make it teach more than it actually states.
The passage speaks of some being beaten with 'many stripes', and some being beaten with 'few stripes', so there is clearly an indication of degrees of punishment. But where does such punishment take place? In hell? Does the passage anywhere state that this takes place in hell? Can those who teach that this is the meaning of the passage prove it?
I would remind the reader that given the seven passages listed above, if Jesus had meant to imply that there would be degrees of punishment 'in hell' then certainly there was much better language in which to state this matter.
In the passage before us, if our Savior had meant us to understand 'degrees of punishment in hell' then he certainly has used obscure language to express that idea. Do the terms 'few' and 'many' have any real meaning if hell is torment in flames for all eternity without end? Why use such obscure language if this is what was meant? Why out of the seven proof-text given to teach this 'degrees of punishment in hell theory' do NONE of them say these punishments take place in hell?
I submit that there is only one logical answer: The popular theory is seriously in error, and if it wasn't for our minds being so blinded from infancy with this doctrine of eternal torment, no one would ever give it a moment's notice.
How is it that many Christians accept without question a doctrine which states that there are degrees of punishment in hell, when there is not one passage of scripture which states this matter at all? How is it that we are so blinded that our eyes read 'in the day of judgment' while our minds instruct us 'in hell'.
So, I ask the one reading this; Do the scriptures REALLY teach that there are degrees of punishment in hell? Once we strip away the layers of theological baggage, drop our pre-conceived ideas, and just READ what the scriptures SAY, can we really say the Bible supports this theory?
I can only answer for myself. I could never in good conscience instruct someone of this doctrine without being struck by the sense that I was advocating my own theories and not what the Bible actually teaches.
We are told that when we study the Bible, we must never form a doctrine out of any passage which speaks in obscure language, and that we must never use an obscure passage to overturn a doctrine which is clearly stated elsewhere in scripture.
If none of these passages clearly teach that there are degrees of punishment in hell, then I ask, where are the ones which CLEARLY state this matter? Where? You cannot pretend that seven passages of scripture listed above clearly teach 'punishment in hell' when NOT ONE OF THEM says 'in hell'.
The passage speaks of some being beaten with 'many stripes', and some being beaten with 'few stripes', so there is clearly an indication of degrees of punishment. But where does such punishment take place? In hell? Does the passage anywhere state that this takes place in hell? Can those who teach that this is the meaning of the passage prove it?
I would remind the reader that given the seven passages listed above, if Jesus had meant to imply that there would be degrees of punishment 'in hell' then certainly there was much better language in which to state this matter.
In the passage before us, if our Savior had meant us to understand 'degrees of punishment in hell' then he certainly has used obscure language to express that idea. Do the terms 'few' and 'many' have any real meaning if hell is torment in flames for all eternity without end? Why use such obscure language if this is what was meant? Why out of the seven proof-text given to teach this 'degrees of punishment in hell theory' do NONE of them say these punishments take place in hell?
I submit that there is only one logical answer: The popular theory is seriously in error, and if it wasn't for our minds being so blinded from infancy with this doctrine of eternal torment, no one would ever give it a moment's notice.
How is it that many Christians accept without question a doctrine which states that there are degrees of punishment in hell, when there is not one passage of scripture which states this matter at all? How is it that we are so blinded that our eyes read 'in the day of judgment' while our minds instruct us 'in hell'.
So, I ask the one reading this; Do the scriptures REALLY teach that there are degrees of punishment in hell? Once we strip away the layers of theological baggage, drop our pre-conceived ideas, and just READ what the scriptures SAY, can we really say the Bible supports this theory?
I can only answer for myself. I could never in good conscience instruct someone of this doctrine without being struck by the sense that I was advocating my own theories and not what the Bible actually teaches.
We are told that when we study the Bible, we must never form a doctrine out of any passage which speaks in obscure language, and that we must never use an obscure passage to overturn a doctrine which is clearly stated elsewhere in scripture.
If none of these passages clearly teach that there are degrees of punishment in hell, then I ask, where are the ones which CLEARLY state this matter? Where? You cannot pretend that seven passages of scripture listed above clearly teach 'punishment in hell' when NOT ONE OF THEM says 'in hell'.
