In this day, Bible teacher Dirk Waren compiled a comprehensive list of instances in Paul's teachings where he expounds on judgment and punishment. I found this list compelling - it reveals that the traditionalist idea of eternal torment is absent. The point is, of course, that if eternal conscious suffering was a future reality Paul would have boldly proclaimed that, as well.
Instead...
"Paul fully proclaimed the whole counsel of God by plainly declaring:
That those who live a lifestyle of unrepentant sin “deserve death” — Romans 1:32
That “all who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law” — Romans 2:12
That sin “leads to death” — Romans 6:16
That sin “results in death” — Romans 6:21
That “the wages of sin is death” — Romans 6:23
That those who live according to the sinful nature “will die” — Romans 8:13
That the gospel is foolishness “to those who are perishing” — 1 Corinthians 1:18
That “in Adam all die” — 1 Corinthians 15:22
That those who preach the gospel are “the smell of death” “to those who are perishing” — 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
That the Old Testament law “kills” and ultimately brings “death” — 2 Corinthians 3:6-7
That the gospel is “veiled to those who are perishing” — 2 Corinthians 4:3
That those who please the sinful nature “from that nature will reap destruction” – Galatians 6:8
That “they will be destroyed” — Philippians 1:28
That “their destiny is destruction” — Philippians 3:19
That “they will be punished with everlasting destruction” — 2 Thessalonians 1:9
That they “are perishing” — 2 Thessalonians 2:10
That “they perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” — 2 Thessalonians 2:10
That “Christ Jesus… has destroyed death” — 2 Timothy 1:10
We can add these four if Paul was the writer of Hebrews:
That they are like worthless land that will “in the end… be burned” — Hebrews 6:8
That sins are “acts that lead to death” — Hebrews 9:14
That raging fire “will consume the enemies of God” — Hebrews 10:27
That those who “shrink back” in unbelief will be “destroyed” — Hebrews 10:39
"In various ways with various words Paul was sure to repeatedly declare precisely what would happen to those who foolishly reject the gospel. He was sure to do this because God appointed him to fully proclaim the whole counsel of God. Paul didn’t hide any aspect of the truth — including the awful truth that those who reject Christ will be utterly destroyed by the raging, consuming fire of the Lord. If words have any meaning at all then this is what we must conclude."
"Allow me to add that if Jesus supposedly preached eternal torture, as many contend, then Paul would have certainly backed it up. Yet Paul taught no such thing because Jesus taught no such thing, not to mention the Bible they taught from — what we now know as the Old Testament — teaches no such thing."
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| Recommended Reading: Hell Know! by Dirk Waren |
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I understand this is a difficult subject and there are different views from folks who all value God's inspired word. I value your feedback, corrections and questions. Please leave a comment!