Question

The Bible says that hell is eternal (Matthew 25:46). Many people struggle with the justice of that. They question how it is just for God to punish a person eternally for sinning only 70, 80, 90, or 100 years—however long they lived. How does a sinner’s finite lifespan merit an infinitely long punishment?

There are two principles that lead us to believeeternity in hell is the just punishment for sin, no matter how long one’s earthly life lasted.

First, the Bible declares that all sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4). The extent of the punishment depends, in part, on the target of the crime. God is infinitely greater than any human being, and an assault on Him is infinitely worse than any crime committed against a human being. An attack on an infinitely worthy being merits an infinite punishment.

Second, it would seem that the unredeemed will continue to sin after death. Are those who go to hell suddenly sinless and perfect? No. Those who go into eternity without Christ will be confirmed in their wickedness. The hard-hearted will be eternally hard-hearted. There will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in hell (Matthew 25:30) but no repentance. Sinners in hell will be given over to their own nature; they will be sin-infected, evil, immoral, and depraved beings for all of eternity, forever unredeemed and unregenerate. The lake of fire will be a place of eternal rebellion against God—even as that rebellion is judged (Revelation 20:14–15; cf. Revelation 16:9, 11). Unsaved people do not “only” sin for 70, 80, 90, or 100 years. They sin for eternity.

Essentially, if a person wants to be separated from God for eternity, God will grant that desire. Believers are those who say to God, “Your will be done.” Unbelievers are those to whom God says, “Your will be done.” The will of the unsaved is to reject salvation through Jesus Christ and remain in sin; God will honor that decision and its consequences for eternity.