The Bible has a lot to say about hell. Though interpretations vary, most Christians agree that hell is a place of eternal separation from God and torment for those who reject Christ. The Bible warns that we must make a choice in this life to either accept Christ or reject Him, and that choice has eternal consequences.
Here is an overview of some key biblical teachings on hell:
1. Hell is a real place
Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in Scripture, affirming its existence and warning people to take sin seriously to avoid going there (Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5). Other New Testament writers also describe hell as a literal place of judgment for unbelievers (Hebrews 10:29; James 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:7; Revelation 14:11; 20:13-14).
Hell is typically envisioned as a place of fire and torment, as illustrated in Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). Descriptions of fire and darkness also appear in several texts (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Mark 9:48; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13).
2. Hell is a place of punishment for sin
According to Scripture, all people have sinned and deserve God’s judgment (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Those who reject Christ as Savior and Lord essentially choose to bear the penalty for their sins themselves, since Jesus paid that penalty on the cross for those who believe (1 Peter 2:24). The punishment for unrepentant sin is death and eternal separation from God’s presence and glory (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
God does not want anyone to perish in hell (2 Peter 3:9), but He allows humans to make that choice rather than forcing them to love Him. Those who reject God’s way of salvation through Christ are condemning themselves to hell (John 3:18).
3. Hell is a place of varying degrees of punishment
Some verses indicate that there will be degrees of punishment and torment in hell depending on the depth of one’s sin and rebellion against God. Jesus said that rejecting Him would result in greater judgment than the infamous wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15; 11:20-24). The apostle John saw visions of varying judgments coming on unbelievers in Revelation, noting that the wicked would be “judged, each one according to his works” (Revelation 20:12-13).
4. Hell is a place of eternal punishment
One aspect of hell that causes great concern is its eternality. Several verses speak of the punishment of hell as eternal, forever, unending, etc. (Matthew 18:8, 25:41, 25:46; Mark 3:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 6:2; Jude 1:7). This seems to preclude any opportunities for escape, repentance or annihilation after death.
The eternal nature of hell highlights the critical importance of a person’s response to Christ in this life. Since people pass into eternity at death, that appears to be the deadline for accepting or rejecting God’s salvation. The Bible urges us to take this life and our choices seriously (Hebrews 9:27).
5. Hell originally was created for Satan and demons
Hell was not intended originally for human occupants. Scripture speaks of hell as a place of punishment prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Demons fear being sent there before their time (Luke 8:31).
However, hell has become the final destiny for those who join in Satan’s rebellion against God. All people who reject Christ’s sacrifice for their sins are essentially allying themselves with evil rather than good. They choose darkness by staying in sin (John 3:19-21).
6. Unbelievers will be thrown into hell
Those who have rejected Christ and lived in unrepentant sin will meet their final end in hell. Every person eventually will face judgment before God (Hebrews 9:27). Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel are objects of God’s wrath and fury, and they will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from God’s presence (Romans 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
Jesus describes hell as a place of outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, indicating immense anguish and regret (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). It is too late for the lost who are thrown into hell’s fire to repent or cry out for mercy (Matthew 13:41-42).
7. Some theological views differ on hell’s nature
There are some differing theological positions on certain aspects of hell:
- Annihilationism – Lost souls are destroyed rather than suffering eternally.
- Universalism – All people will be saved eventually, even if after a period of punishment.
- Purgatory – Some will go through this temporary place of purification before heaven.
However, the traditional view supported by Scripture is that unbelievers suffer eternal, conscious punishment from which there is no escape.
8. Hell should motivate us to accept Christ
Thinking about hell may seem negative, but it can motivate us when we understand the tremendous grace of God in sending Jesus to deliver believers from it. We should not try to avoid the topic, but rather let it move us to proclaim the gospel boldly and urgently. Hell highlights our desperation for a Savior and the importance of making forgiveness and eternal life in Christ our top priority.
The terrors of hell should also move us to pray earnestly for unbelievers to repent before it is eternally too late. And for believers, the doctrine should increase our worship and gratitude to God for His amazing love and grace toward us.
While God’s perfect holiness demands justice and judgment against sin, His character also reflects unfathomable love and mercy. That’s why sending Jesus to die in our place was the only way a holy God could pardon unholy sinners without compromising His perfection (Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We rejoice that Jesus “delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The Bible says God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires all people to repent and live (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11). Yet He will not force anyone to be with Him who insists on rejecting Him. C.S. Lewis summarizes it well: “In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of hell is itself a question: ‘What are you asking God to do?’ To wipe out their past sins and, at all costs, to give them a fresh start, smoothing every difficulty and offering every miraculous help? But He has done so, on Calvary. To forgive them? They will not be forgiven. To leave them alone? Alas, I am afraid that is what He does.”
Hell is certainly a sobering reality. But praise God it is avoidable. We can escape judgment by receiving God’s pardon through repentance and faith in Christ (John 3:16-18). Let the doctrine of hell increase your joy in the free gift of salvation we have through Jesus!