Are There Degrees of Punishment in Hell?
By Paul Tatham
Most evangelical Christians have a fairly clear understanding of the concept of varying degrees of reward in Heaven.
They are familiar with Scriptures which speak of crowns, and the like, that will be awarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ and seek to live their lives with that prospect in mind.
Not as many evangelicals, however, grasp the reality that there exist similar variations of punishment in Hell for the lost.
Although Hell will be a place of horrific anguish for all its residents, some will suffer worse than others.
Although Hell will be a place of horrific anguish for all its residents, some will suffer worse than others.
Without delving into the exact meaning of the following Bible passages, it is clear that they all speak to the fact that there are degrees --perhaps literally - of punishment in Hell.
The degree of punishment seems to be predicated on just two factors: the amount of gospel light, to which one was exposed, and one’s works.
If someone, during his life on earth, had the privilege to be presented with a clear presentation of God’s plan of salvation, and dismissed it, his punishment will be greater than for someone who had no such exposure.
Furthermore, although only one sin is needed to condemn a person to a lost eternity in Hell, some sins are worse than others and will be punished accordingly.
Where is the Biblical Evidence?
Luke 12:47-48
“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luke 12:47-48
“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Romans 2:12
“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.”
“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.”
Luke 10:14
”But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.”
”But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.”
Matthew 10:15
“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
2 Peter 2:20-21
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
Hebrews 10:26-29
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Mark 12:40
“Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.”
“Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.”
Matthew 23:15
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves.”
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves.”
Matthew 18:6-7
“But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
“But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
"Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Deuteronomy 25:2-3
“And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
“And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
"Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.”
1 Samuel 2:3
“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”
“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”
2 Samuel 3:39
“And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”
“And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”
Ezra 9:13
“And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.”
“And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.”
Psalm 28:4
“Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.”
“Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.”
Hosea 4:9
“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.”
“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.”
Hosea 12:2
“The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.”
“The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.”
Obadiah 1:15
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”
Jeremiah 17:10
“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Luke 23:41
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”
Revelation 20:13
”And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”
”And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”
John 19:11
”Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
1 Peter 4:17
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
”Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
1 Peter 4:17
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Proverbs 24:12
“If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”
“If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”
Revelation 20:12
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
