Are there different levels of punishment in hell?

Answer

The concept of varying degrees of punishment in hell is vividly depicted in The Divine Comedy, authored by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321. Within this poem, Dante is guided by the Roman poet Virgil through the nine circles of hell. These circles are concentric, symbolizing a progressive increase in wickedness, ultimately leading to the core of the earth where Satan is imprisoned. Each circle’s inhabitants endure punishments tailored to their specific sins, suffering eternally for their predominant transgression. Dante describes the circles starting from the first circle, inhabited by the unbaptized and virtuous pagans, to the central region reserved for those guilty of the ultimate sin—treachery against God.

While the Bible does not explicitly mention varying levels of punishment in hell, it does suggest that judgment will be individualized. In Revelation 20:11–15, individuals are judged “according to their deeds as recorded in the books” «And I saw the dead, great and small, standing 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. », (Revelation 20:12). Despite this individual judgment, all individuals face condemnation to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13-15). Hence, the purpose of judgment may be to determine the severity of punishment in hell.

A more explicit reference is found in Luke 10, where Jesus discusses varying degrees of punishment. Jesus first mentions the fate of a village that rejects the gospel: “I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”

(Verse 12). Then He speaks to Bethsaida and Chorazin: “It will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you” (Verse 14). Whatever punishment the former residents of Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon were experiencing in hell, the Galilean towns that refused to hear Christ would experience more. The level of punishment in hell seems to be tied to the amount of light a person rejects.

Another indication that hell has different levels of punishment is found in Jesus’ words in Luke 12: “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” (Verses 47–48).

Whatever degrees of punishment hell contains, it is clear that hell is a place to be avoided.

Unfortunately, the Bible states that most people will wind up in hell: “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The question one must ask is “which road am I on?” The “many” on the broad road have one thing in common—they have all rejected Christ as the one and only way to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6). When He said He is the only way, that is precisely what He meant. Everyone following another “way” besides Jesus Christ is on the broad road to destruction, and the suffering is hideous, dreadful, eternal, and unavailing.

Avoidable.