The topic of hell is one that elicits strong reactions from many people. Some reject the notion entirely, believing it to be inconsistent with a loving God. Others embrace a literal view of hell as a place of eternal, conscious torment for the wicked. What does the Bible really say about hell? Is it a literal place of fiery punishment, or something else? And is it eternal, or temporary? Let’s explore what Scripture has to say.
Old Testament References to Hell
The Old Testament speaks very little about the afterlife or a place akin to hell. The Hebrew word Sheol refers to the abode of the dead, but it doesn’t have the connotations of eternal punishment that hell has. At times, Sheol is presented as a gloomy, silent realm where all the dead go, both righteous and wicked (Psalm 88:3-5). Other passages indicate the righteous and wicked are separated in Sheol (Psalm 49:14-15). But overall, Sheol in the Old Testament is more akin to the Greek concept of Hades – an underworld for departed souls, not a place of punishment.
However, there are a few Old Testament passages that foreshadow the later biblical teachings on hell. For example, Isaiah 66:24 speaks of the corpses of those who rebelled against God as an abhorrence; their worm shall not die and their fire shall not be quenched. This passage could indicate a form of judgment after death. Daniel 12:2 also contrasts the fates of the righteous and the wicked after judgment and resurrection – some will awake to everlasting life, others to everlasting contempt. So while the Old Testament does not have a developed theology of hell, it contains echoes of what will be further developed in later Scripture.
The Words Translated as “Hell” in the New Testament
When we come to the New Testament, there are a number of words translated as “hell” in English translations. The main three are:
- Gehenna – This word derives from the Hebrew Gei Hinnom, referring to the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, where child sacrifice had once occurred (2 Chronicles 28:3). Gehenna came to be equated with judgment and fiery torment of the wicked. Jesus uses this word on several occasions (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:33).
- Hades – As noted earlier, this is the Greek term for the underworld or abode of the dead. In the New Testament, Hades generally retains this meaning rather than a place of punishment (Acts 2:27,31).
- Tartarus – Mentioned only once in the New Testament, this term comes from Greek mythology as a place of torment and imprisonment for the wicked (2 Peter 2:4).
When Jesus spoke about hell (Gehenna), he used vivid imagery of fire, torment, destruction, and weeping to highlight the terrible fate of the wicked. While some argue this is symbolic, Jesus spoke about hell more often than anyone else in Scripture, reinforcing traditional Jewish beliefs in a literal, conscious afterlife of judgment for the wicked.
Descriptions of Hell in the New Testament
In addition to the words translated as “hell,” the New Testament contains many vivid descriptions of the place of eternal punishment for the wicked after judgment:
- A place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12)
- A place of “eternal fire” (Matthew 18:8)
- A place of “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43)
- A place of “everlasting fire” prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41)
- A place of “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46)
- A place of torment with fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10)
- A lake of fire and brimstone where the wicked are tormented forever (Revelation 20:10)
- Outer darkness, with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13)
These graphic descriptions of anguish, torment, and separation from God leave little doubt that Scripture is speaking of a literal place of eternal judgment for those who reject Christ. It is not symbolic of something else, but a real physical and spiritual place of suffering for the wicked after death and judgment.
Is Hell Eternal?
Given these vivid depictions of hell, a natural question is whether hell lasts forever. Is it eternal separation from God, or only temporary? Looking at the key passages mentioning hell, several things are clear:
- Hell is described as “eternal fire” (Matthew 18:8, 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43), and “everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41). This implies ongoing, unending fire.
- Hell is called “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46). The same Greek word is used to describe “eternal life” given to believers.
- Those cast into hell include the devil, beast, and false prophet who will be “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
- Jesus describes hell as a place where “the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).
These descriptions strongly indicate that hell lasts forever. There is no biblical evidence of the wicked being released from hell after a period of time. Once condemned, the punishment appears to be eternal in duration.
Objections to Eternal Hell
Despite the biblical evidence for eternal hell, some theologians object to the concept on philosophical grounds. Here are some common objections:
- It is unjust – Some argue that eternal torment in hell is disproportionate to whatever sins a person committed. A finite amount of sin does not deserve an infinite amount of punishment.
- It makes God cruel – A God who would condemn people to eternal torment seems harsh and cruel, not benevolent.
- It makes repentance meaningless – If hell is eternal, then repentance no longer has any effect after death.
- It means God ultimately fails – An eternal hell means God is defeated by evil and fails to reconcile all things to himself (1 Corinthians 15:28).
These are serious objections that should not be dismissed lightly. However, there are several counterpoints to consider:
- Sin against an eternal God has eternal consequences – Crimes are judged based on who they are committed against. Sins against an infinitely holy, eternal God warrant eternal punishment.
- Justice requires appropriate penalties – A judge who fails to punish lawbreakers would be unjust. God upholds his righteous justice and moral order through appropriate rewards and punishments.
- Hell demonstrates God’s just wrath – God’s holiness and justice demand he punish sin. His wrath serves to uphold the moral order he has established.
- Free will means allowing the consequences of choices – For true free will and responsibility, God allows people to experience the natural consequences of their choices, including hell if they reject God.
The biblical evidence for eternal, conscious hell is substantial. While it raises difficult philosophical questions, affirming hell’s eternality appears most consistent with Scripture. Objections should not override the plain reading of the text.
Is Hell Just for Satan, Demons, and the Wicked?
Given the concept of eternal hell in Scripture, who exactly will be consigned there? Several groups are specifically mentioned:
- Satan and demons – The devil and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire on judgment day, tormented forever (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
- The Beast and False Prophet – These figures who serve evil and lead the world astray in Revelation are explicitly named as being thrown into eternal fire as well (Revelation 19:20, 20:10).
- Those who reject Christ – Jesus is clear those who reject him and do not follow his way will face punishment in hell (John 3:18, 36).
The wicked are also mentioned broadly as facing judgment and hell (Romans 2:5-8; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Categories of the wicked described in Scripture would include the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexual offenders, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Murderers, the cowardly, and liars are also mentioned (Revelation 21:8). So those who continually engage in patterns of serious sin without repentance are at risk of hell.
But what about ordinary people who don’t seem extremely “wicked”? Are there other people who will end up in hell?
What About Those Who Never Hear the Gospel?
Some argue that only those who outright reject Christ go to hell. But what about those who never hear the gospel message during their lifetimes? Is it fair for God to condemn them to hell?
This is a difficult question that theologians have wrestled with. There are a few key considerations:
- No one deserves heaven, and all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Salvation is by grace alone.
- People are accountable according to the knowledge and light they have received (Luke 12:47-48).
- God judges people by what is in their heart – their thoughts and intents (Hebrews 4:12). He makes judgments with perfect insight.
- Babies, young children, and the intellectually disabled who cannot comprehend the gospel don’t appear accountable in the same way.
There are hints of “grading on a curve” based on the light people have received. But Scripture still indicates the default destiny for humanity is hell because of sin, even for those unaware of Christ. This makes the spreading of the gospel urgent and vital.
Can People Repent After Death?
Some believe that after death, people will have a “second chance” to repent when they see the realities of the afterlife and the consequences of rejecting Christ. Is this possible?
Theologians are divided on this issue. However, several key passages of Scripture indicate repentance happens before death, not after:
- “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Judgment appears to follow immediately after death.
- Parables like Lazarus and the rich man seem to preclude any opportunity for repentance after death (Luke 16:19-31).
- Accounts of judgment emphasize past actions and priorities in life, not post-mortem repentance (Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:5-8).
Overall, while not definitive, a strong case can be made from Scripture that opportunities to repent end at death. The trajectory of someone’s life set before death determines their eternal fate.
Is There Any Escape From Hell?
Given the horrific and eternal nature of hell, is it possible for someone to change course and be rescued from this destination? Can prayers of the living help?
Once condemned to hell, Scripture gives no indication anyone can escape. Christ speaks of hell’s eternal punishment as “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43) where “the worm does not die” (Mark 9:48). The story of Lazarus and the rich man forbids the damned from crossing back over to paradise (Luke 16:26). Revelation says those who take the mark of the beast will have no rest day or night forever (Revelation 14:11).
While prayers and masses for the dead may have been practiced traditionally, Scripture does not indicate these can deliver anyone already condemned to hell. Hebrews 9:27 declares it is appointed for man to die once, and after this comes judgment. The options appear limited to heaven or hell based on one’s standing with Christ before death.
How Could a Loving God Send People to Eternal Hell?
The existence of hell certainly raises troubling philosophical and moral issues. How could a loving God send people to such a place? Several perspectives help provide some understanding:
- Hell demonstrates God’s justice – A loving judge must still uphold the law and punish crimes. God’s holy justice requires wrongdoing be addressed through appropriate punishments.
- Respecting free will has consequences – If God forced everyone into heaven it would violate our free will. Hell recognizes the choices people freely make.
- Hell shows sin’s true gravity – The existence of hell displays that sin is not trivial, but has infinitely serious implications.
- Redemption requires justice be fulfilled – For God to redeem the broken world, justice has to be satisfied in some manner. Hell forms part of fulfilling justice.
We may not fully understand how hell reconciles with God’s love. But it does demonstrate the majesty of God’s holiness and justice. He does not compromise his righteous standards even to save some from perdition. God deeply loves people, and because of that provides every opportunity to receive redemption in this life. Yet for those who still reject him, hell remains a tragic outcome of allowing free choice.
Common Questions About Hell
Many other questions come up when examining what the Bible says about hell. Here are some brief answers to a few additional common questions:
- Where is hell? Scripture does not give definitive details, other than indicating it is downwards or below (Numbers 16:30-33). Some traditions believe hell is in the center of the earth.
- Are there levels of punishment in hell? Jesus’ speaks of greater condemnation for some towns that reject him (Matthew 11:22-24). This could indicate levels of punishment proportional to sins committed, but it is not entirely clear.
- What kinds of suffering take place in hell? The imagery of fire, worms, darkness, weeping and gnashing speak primarily of intense physical and emotional distress and anguish. Hell is exclusion from God’s presence.
- Will God actively torture people in hell? Images of an angry God deliberately torturing people undermine his character of holiness and justice. It is debatable whether God actively inflicts punishments or passive restraint allows sinners to experience the natural consequences of rejecting him.
- Do souls in hell cease to exist? Some argue that the imagery of fire and worms indicates total destruction rather than eternal consciousness. However, words like “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46) imply ongoing existence, not annihilation.
While fascinating details can be debated, the core themes of hell’s reality and eternality remain well established in Scripture. The uncertainties highlight the need to place our faith in Christ alone, that by God’s mercy we may avoid this terrible fate.
Conclusion
The topic of hell raises challenging theological and philosophical questions. However, the substantial scriptural evidence indicates hell is a literal place of eternal, conscious punishment for the wicked. Descriptions of fire, darkness, torment, and separation from God paint a harrowing picture. Once condemned, there appears no exit from hell. While the concept troubles us emotionally and intellectually, upheld by God’s justice and free will, hell stands as a sober warning of the dangers of rejecting Christ’s salvation. Our hope remains in him alone to rescue us from this terrible destiny.