Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 09:2 (Fall 1998)
Article: Paul’s Concept Of Eternal Punishment
Author: James E. Rosscup

MSJ 9:2 (Fall 98) p. 169

Paul’s Concept Of Eternal Punishment

James E. Rosscup

Professor of Bible Exposition

Paul did not deal in as much detail with eternal punishment as did Jesus in the gospels and John in Revelation, but what he did write matches with their fuller descriptions in many points. This is to be expected because of Paul’s strong commitment to Jesus Christ. In Rom 2:6–10 he wrote about God’s anger in punishing the lost and the anguish they will suffer as a result. In Rom 9:22–23 he spoke of “vessels of wrath fitted for destruction,” a destruction that consists of an ongoing grief brought on as a consequence of God’s wrath. Second Thess 1:8–9 is a third passage that reflects his teaching on eternal punishment. There “eternal destruction” represents a different Greek expression, one that depicts a ruin that lost people continue to suffer forever as they are denied opportunity to be with Christ. Paul’s failure to use a number of other words in expressions that could have expressed annihilation of the unsaved is further indication of his harmony with Jesus and John in teaching an unending punishment that the unsaved will consciously experience.

* * * * *

Paul’s remarks about eternal punishment do not delve into as much detail as Jesus’ in the gospels or John’s in the Apocalypse. Paul is reasonably clear that this destiny is a process that never ends and is consciously felt. Still, some have argued annihilation from his words in a fashion that puts a strain on the words’ natural, probable idea. Where his terms for eternal punishment do not in themselves immediately nail down the duration or conscious nature of divine retribution, his intent is most reasonably in unity with what Jesus his Lord taught more explicitly and what fellow believers wrote in other New Testament books.

This study will show how Paul is consistent with Jesus1 and John.2 Then it will review Paul’s three clearest passages (Rom 2:6–10; 9:22; 2 Thess 1:8–9) and correlate his stance in further references.

MSJ 9:2 (Fall 98) p. 170

Paul’s Unity with Jesus and John

Jesus and John spell out the fullest detail in the NT on the duration and nature of punishment. Jesus said of the unsaved regarding retribution, “Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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