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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Aug 87 min read

Does the Bible Teach That There Is a Purgatory?

Introduction to the Doctrine of Purgatory


The doctrine of purgatory, as traditionally taught by the Roman Catholic Church, posits a state or condition in the afterlife where souls who have died in a state of grace undergo purification before entering heaven. This belief holds that these souls are temporarily punished for unforgiven venial sins or for the temporal punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven. However, this concept is not supported by Scripture but rather by tradition.



The Basis of the Doctrine


The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits that the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is primarily based on tradition rather than Sacred Scripture. It notes, "In the final analysis, the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is based on tradition, not Sacred Scripture" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. XI, p. 1034). Furthermore, the U.S. Catholic magazine acknowledges the reliance on tradition to support this middle ground between heaven and hell.


The Nature of Purgatory According to Catholic Teaching


Catholic spokesmen have various interpretations regarding the suffering experienced in purgatory. Some believe that the suffering is linked to the awareness of a temporary postponement of the beatific vision, while others maintain that there is an additional element of positive punishment. The common view in the Latin Church holds that this punishment may involve real fire, although this is not essential to the belief in purgatory. Despite differing opinions on the exact nature of the suffering, there is a consensus that the souls in purgatory experience true pain but also great joy over the certainty of their eventual salvation (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. XI, pp. 1036-1037).



Scriptural Examination of the Doctrine of Purgatory


Does the Soul Survive the Death of the Body?


The Bible teaches that the soul does not survive the death of the body. Ezekiel 18:4 states, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." James 5:20 reinforces this by saying, "Anyone who can bring back a sinner from the wrong way that he has taken will be saving a soul from death and covering up a great number of sins." These verses clearly indicate that the soul itself dies and does not continue to exist separately from the body.


Is There Further Punishment for Sin After Death?


Romans 6:7 clarifies, "A man who is dead has been freed from sin." This means that once a person dies, they are no longer subject to the consequences of sin. There is no biblical basis for further punishment after death, which contradicts the idea of purgatory.


Can the Dead Experience Joy Over the Prospect of Salvation?


Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "The living know at least that they will die, the dead know nothing." Isaiah 38:18 adds, "Sheol does not praise you, Jehovah, death does not extol you; those who go down to the pit do not go on trusting in your faithfulness." These passages indicate that the dead are not conscious and cannot experience joy or suffering, further undermining the concept of purgatory.



Purification from Sins According to the Bible


The Bible teaches that purification from sins is accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ, not through any form of suffering in the afterlife. 1 John 1:7, 9 explains, "If we live our lives in the light, as he [God] is in the light, we are in union with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. . . . If we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us from everything that is wrong." Revelation 1:5 echoes this by stating, "Jesus Christ . . . loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood." These verses emphasize that forgiveness and purification are granted through faith in Christ and His sacrifice, not through a process of post-mortem suffering.



The Historical Origins of Purgatory


The concept of purgatory has roots in ancient Greek philosophy, which influenced early Christian thought. Clement of Alexandria, influenced by Greek ideas, suggested that the dead could be cleansed by a purifying fire. However, it was Pope Gregory the Great who, between 590 and 604 C.E., solidified the doctrine of purgatory within the Roman Catholic Church. The History of Christian Doctrines notes that Gregory is often called "the inventor of purgatory." The Catholic Church formally defined the doctrine at the councils of Lyons (1274) and Florence (1439) and reaffirmed it at the Council of Trent in 1547.


The New Catholic Encyclopedia confirms that there is no mention of purgatory in the Gospels and that the doctrine is based on tradition. It states, "In the final analysis, the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is based on tradition, not Sacred Scripture" (Second Edition, Volume 11, page 825).



Biblical Examination of the Soul and Afterlife


The Nature of the Soul


The Bible defines the soul as the entire living being, not a separate, detachable entity. Genesis 2:7 states, "Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul." This passage clearly indicates that the soul is the living person as a whole, encompassing both body and breath.


Consciousness After Death


Scripture teaches that the dead are not conscious and do not continue to live in another realm. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all." Psalm 146:4 further supports this by saying, "His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground, in that day his thoughts do perish." These verses make it clear that there is no conscious existence after death, and thus, no place for the concept of purgatory.



The Role of Money and Prayers for the Dead


The Catholic Church teaches that the living can aid the souls in purgatory through prayers and financial contributions. However, the Bible provides no support for this practice. Jesus and His apostles never taught that the dead could benefit from the actions of the living. Instead, Jesus emphasized the resurrection as the hope for the dead. He stated, "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28, 29). This resurrection is the means by which the dead will be restored to life, not through suffering in purgatory or through the prayers and offerings of the living.


The Invention and Promotion of Purgatory


The doctrine of purgatory was not a part of early Christian teachings and was unknown for the first 600 years of the Christian era. It was Pope Gregory the Great who introduced the idea of a tormenting fire as part of purgatory. The McClintock and Strong Cyclopædia notes that purgatory as a burning-away of sins was an idea unknown until Gregory's time and was only later made an article of faith.


Cardinal Gibbons admitted that the interpretation of purgatory is based on the teachings of the Church Fathers, stating, "This interpretation is not mine. It is the unanimous voice of the Fathers of Christendom." However, Jesus warned against following human traditions over God's commandments, saying, "You have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition. . . . It is in vain that they keep paying respect to me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines" (Matthew 15:1-9).



The Biblical Hope for the Dead


The Bible teaches that the dead are in a state of nonexistence, awaiting the resurrection. God's promise is that those in the memorial tombs will be awakened from death. Jesus' death and resurrection guarantee this hope, as He Himself promised, "The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out" (John 5:28, 29). The doctrine of purgatory contradicts this hope by suggesting that the dead are conscious and suffering. Instead, the Bible presents the resurrection as the means by which the dead will be restored to life.



Conclusion

The concept of purgatory, as taught by the Roman Catholic Church, finds no basis in Scripture. The Bible consistently teaches that the soul is not a separate entity that survives death, that the dead are not conscious, and that purification from sins is achieved through the blood of Jesus Christ. The doctrine of purgatory is a product of tradition and human interpretation rather than divine revelation. The hope for the dead, according to the Bible, lies in the resurrection promised by Jesus Christ.


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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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