Pauline descriptions of hell
Douglas Moo observes that in most English versions, the word ‘hell’ is not found in Paul’s writings. That is because he never used either of the two words usually translated ‘hell’ – gehenna and hades.
So what language does the apostle use concerning the fate of the wicked? They are, in order of frequency:-
- “Death,” “die” (usually apothn’skō, thanatos; Rom. 1:32; 5:12, 14, 15, 17, 21; 6:16, 21, 23; 7:5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 24; 8:2, 6, 13; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22; 2 Cor. 2:16; 3:6, 7; 7:10; Eph. 2:1). Typical is the well-known Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- “Perish,” “destroy,” “destruction” (usually apollymi, apōleia, three times olethros, once phthora; Rom. 2:12; 9:22; 14:15[?], 20[?]; 1 Cor. 1:18; 15:18; 2 Cor. 2:15; 4:3; Gal. 6:8; Phil. 1:28; 3:19; 1 Thess. 5:3; 2 Thess. 1:9; 2:10; 1 Tim. 6:9). Typical is Galatians 6:8: “Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
- “Wrath” (usually org’;, once thymos; Rom. 1:18; 2:5, 8; 3:5; 5:9; 9:22; Eph. 2:3; 5:6; Col. 3:6; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:16; 5:9). Typical is Ephesians 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
- “Condemn,” “condemnation,” “judge,” “judgment” (all words built on the Gk. root krin-; Rom. 2:1, 2, 3, 5, 12; 3:7, 8; 5:16, 18; 8:1; 1 Cor. 11:32; 2 Cor. 3:9; 2 Thess. 2:12; 1 Tim. 5:24). Typical is Romans 5:18: “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all.”
- “Curse,” “cursed,” “eternally condemned” (anathema, katara; Rom. 9:3; Gal. 1:8, 9; 3:10, 13; cf. 1 Cor. 12:3; 16:22).3 Typical is Galatians 3:10: “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’”
- “Punish” (ekdikos, ekdik’sis, dik’; 1 Thess. 4:6; 2 Thess. 1:8, 9). Typical is 2 Thessalonians 1:8: “He [God] will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
- “Trouble and distress” (thlipsis kai stenochōria). See Romans 2:9: “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Morgan, Christopher W.. Hell Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents Eternal Punishment (Kindle Locations 2178-2196). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.