Cynthia Bailey asks: Will there be degrees of punishment in hell? Or do you think all will suffer equally?

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for your question. All though many people seem the push the idea that in God's eyes all sins are equal. The Bible is pretty clear and consistent in teaching that God is perfectly fair and will reward and punish each person in accordance with what he/she has done.

2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Revelation 20:12- And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

This can also be seen in Luke 20:47, when Jesus warns the Pharisees that they would "be punished most severely" for their hypocrisy.

It can be seen in Matthew 11:21-22, when Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

It can be seen in Luke 12:47-48, as Jesus uses a a metaphor of physical torture as a warning to his hearers, to tell them that those who knowingly disobey would experience greater torment than those who disobey in ignorance. (“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked).

Lastly, Jesus makes it plain clear in John 19:11, that not all sins are created equal. (Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”) Therefore, although sins are equal in the sense that they all lead to the same outcome of being guilty, they are not all equal in severity. While it is true that an eternity away from the creator is the ultimate punishment for anyone who chooses that outcome, those who do worse things will suffer more greatly. Hope this helps clear things up.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1)

Comments:

Cynthia Bailey: Thanks, love your answers, you guys keep things simple to understand. I definitely don't think God will punish someone who steals to the same weight as Nero or Hitler. God bless you guys.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Glad we could help. Nice reference of characters. Yes, they are all equally guilty of sin, but the punishment of Nero and Hitler will be worse according to Revelation 20:12. God bless you Cynthia.

2 Corinthians 5:10

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad".