The topic of hell is sobering and often controversial. While some dispute the nature, existence, or eternity of hell, the Bible has much to say about this solemn subject. Below is an overview of some of the key Bible passages that mention hell and descriptions of what hell is according to Scripture.
Old Testament References to Hell
The Old Testament uses a variety of terms and images to refer to the afterlife and the realm of the dead:
- Sheol – The Hebrew term Sheol occurs 65 times and is translated as “hell,” “the grave,” or “the pit.” It is depicted as a place beneath the earth that both the righteous and unrighteous go after death (Genesis 37:35; Psalm 16:10).
- Abaddon – This Hebrew term meaning “place of destruction” is used as another name for Sheol (Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11).
- The Pit – Several verses use “the pit” figuratively to represent Sheol or the realm of death (Psalm 28:1; Isaiah 14:15).
- Death/Destruction – These literal terms are also used to signify the afterlife realm (Job 33:22; Psalm 55:15).
- Burning fire – This image suggests the fiery judgment awaiting the wicked after death (Isaiah 33:14).
While the Old Testament does not elaborate in detail on the afterlife, it establishes Sheol/hell as the destination of both the righteous and unrighteous after death. It also contains foreboding hints about the judgment and punishment that await the wicked there.
New Testament References to Hell
The New Testament builds upon the Old Testament understanding of the afterlife using various terms and images:
- Hades – The Greek term Hades corresponds to the Hebrew Sheol and likewise refers to the realm of the dead (Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27).
- Gehenna – This term derives from the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom (“Valley of Hinnom”) and is used 12 times in the New Testament as a symbolic reference to the place of fiery punishment and torment reserved for the wicked after judgment (Matthew 5:22; Mark 9:43).
- The outer darkness – Several texts use this enigmatic phrase to portray the exclusion and despair of eternal punishment (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13).
- The fiery furnace – As in the OT, the imagery of burning fire suggests the suffering awaiting the unrighteous (Matthew 13:42, 50).
- The lake of fire – This important image occurs in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15 as the final abode of the wicked where Satan, the beast, and all evildoers will be tormented eternally after the final judgment.
Jesus and the New Testament authors speak of gehenna/hell repeatedly as a literal place of everlasting fire and torment (Mark 9:43-48). They warn of the eternal judgment to come when the unrighteous will suffer away from the presence of God.
Descriptions and Characteristics of Hell
Here are some key passages that describe the qualities and characteristics of hell:
A Place of Punishment for the Wicked
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
A Place of Fire and Torment
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell (Mark 9:43-45).
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell (James 3:6).
A Place of Darkness and Separation from God
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:41-42).
These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
A Place of Weeping and Regret
But he will be distressed over his flocks and his herds. On that day he will drink his blood like wine, and his bowels like a heap of dung (Ecclesiasticus 14:14 [Septuagint]).
In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment…. And he called out, ‘…I am in anguish in this flame’ (Luke 16:23-24).
A Place of Eternal Duration for the Wicked
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matthew 25:44-46).
And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name (Revelation 14:11).
As these passages demonstrate, the Bible depicts hell as a literal place of eternal, conscious torment away from God’s presence where the wicked are punished for their sins.
Reasons People Are Condemned to Hell
Why do people end up in hell? Scripture points to the following reasons:
Rejecting and Distrusting God
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God (John 3:18).
Refusing to believe in and trust in Jesus’ saving work leads to condemnation (see also John 3:36).
Unrepentant Sin
But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5).
Ongoing impenitence and unbelief incurs judgment (see also Romans 1:18; 2 Peter 2:4-10).
Practicing Evil
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).
Those who habitually practice serious sin and moral evil face hell (see also 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21).
Hypocrisy and False Religion
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves (Matthew 23:15).
Hypocrisy and false religion condemn people to judgment rather than saving them (see also Matthew 23:33).
In essence, people will be condemned to hell for rejecting God’s salvation through Christ and refusing to repent of their sins. No one has to go to hell because Jesus took the punishment sinners deserve (Romans 6:23). But those who spurn God’s love and grace face eternal consequences (John 3:36; Revelation 20:11-15).
References to Avoiding Hell
Since hell is a terrifying reality, Scripture offers many warnings to repent and believe the gospel in order to avoid this dreadful fate:
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36).
The Lord…is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
These and many other verses urge people to turn from sin and unbelief and trust in Christ’s atoning work on the cross in order to be saved from hell.
Hell’s Impact on Other Doctrines
The doctrine of hell intertwines with several other biblical teachings:
Human Sinfulness
Hell highlights the horrendous evil of human sin against God and the need for redemption (Romans 3:23; James 2:10).
God’s Justice and Holiness
Hell reveals God’s unwavering justice and holy hatred of sin which demands punishment (Exodus 34:7; Psalm 5:4-6).
Christ’s Atonement
Hell underscores the enormous sacrifice and love of Christ to suffer God’s wrath in our place (Romans 5:8-9; 1 Peter 3:18).
Gospel Urgency
The reality of hell should instill an urgent desire in Christians to preach the gospel while imploring people to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:11, 20).
Future Hope
God’s future restoration of all things when hell and evil are eradicated offers hope to believers suffering now (Revelation 21:1-4).
Though difficult to comprehend fully, the doctrine of hell motivates evangelism, aids understanding of the cross, and fuels endurance and hope for believers. It should instill both soberness and gratitude in how we respond to the gospel.
Objections and Alternative Views
Some raise objections to the traditional perspective of hell as eternal conscious torment. Below are responses to some common arguments:
“A Loving God Would Not Send People to Hell”
God’s love and justice require punishing unrepentant sinners. His holiness cannot coexist with sin (Habakkuk 1:13; 1 John 1:5). He does not delight in punishment (Ezekiel 33:11; Lamentations 3:33) but earnestly desires all to repent (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:23). But He gives humans moral agency to make choices with real consequences.
“Annihilationism – Lost Souls Cease to Exist”
This view contends the unrighteous are annihilated and cease to exist rather than suffering eternally. But Scripture declares the unsaved will endure everlasting punishment and destruction (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:11). The Bible does not state immortality is conditional upon salvation.
“Universalism – All Are Saved in the End”
This belief declares God will ultimately redeem all people through Christ’s atonement. But Scripture consistently warns of eternal separation from God for the unrepentant (Matthew 25:46; Romans 2:8-9; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8). It urges people to repent before it is too late.
“Purgatory Allows Further Purification”
Purgatory claims some go to an intermediate place between heaven and hell to be purged of sin before entering heaven. But Scripture teaches no second chance exists after death (Hebrews 9:27) nor any intermediate realm besides heaven and hell (Luke 16:19-31). Salvation is by faith alone in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
While objections are understandable, the traditional doctrine of hell aligns most faithfully with Scripture. We should interpret God’s love, mercy and justice in light of the entire biblical canon.
Conclusion
The sobering reality of hell highlights the grievous nature of human sin, the enormity of Christ’s sacrifice, and the urgency to proclaim the gospel message. Warnings about hell remind us to live holy lives, share our faith, and prepare diligently to meet God. Though painful to ponder, hell’s unquenchable fire and horrendous torments compel us to live for eternity and beckon us to entreat others to respond to God’s offer of mercy while there is still time.