Degrees of Punishment in Hell

Degrees of punishment in hell is difficult for me to find in Scripture. I realize that many believe in it, including my favorite Bible teachers.

I’ve looked at passages used to support that view, but it seems that one has to read it into the text (eisegesis = putting one’s personal meaning in the text) rather than bring it out (exegesis = accurately bring out the meaning) the true meaning.

I believe in a distinction between hell and hades. At the very least, hell consists of fire and will exist throughout eternity (Matt. 25:41;

John 15:6; Jude 1:7; Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 15). There will also be smoke, torment, and restlessness throughout eternity (Rev. 14:11). Note the words “forever and ever” in the passages. I have difficulty in seeing the concept of degrees of punishment in these passages.

On the other hand, hades is also a place of punishable torment (Luke 16:23) but seems to be temporary until the final judgment of the wicked (Rev.20:13). It may be in hades that different degrees of punishment will be meted out. Jesus has keys to it (Rev. 1:18), and eventually,

I believe, He will release from there Old Testament saints who comfortably resided in a different space or chamber (Dan. 12:2. See also in Matt. 27:52-53). Eventually, hades itself and its former wicked occupants who were judged at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-13) will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15). As far as different degrees of punishment in hell are concerned, there is no clear teaching of that in Scripture.

The idea is a logical deduction based on the scriptures below but not absolutely conclusive.

The following are passages generally used to support different degrees of punishment:

Mt. 11:20-22 “Then He began to reproach the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin!

Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you…I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”

(Matthew 23:15). Pharisees’ converts were said to be “twice the son of Hell” as their mentors

Luke 12:47-48, “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

John 19:11, “Jesus answered [Pilate], ‘You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me upto you has the greater sin.’”

Heb. 10:29, “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

They all seem to support the view there will be different degrees of punishment, but none of those passages say in hell or everlasting fire/punishment? The different degrees most likely apply to hades rather than hell. To comment on each passage will take too much time right now, but I hope the gist of my view is clear.

Blessings! Bruce A. ProctorA Servant