Monday, August 15, 2005

Hell - Eternal Suffering or Annihilation?

Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." KJV

Jesus changed words in Mt 10:28, showing the difference in what man can do to man and what God can do to man. Man can kill the body: "And fear not them which kill (apokteino) the body," Man cannot kill the soul "but are not able to kill (apokteino) the soul:" But fear Him (God) who can do both: "but rather fear him which is able to destroy (apollumi) both soul and body in hell."
KJV Jesus uses one Greek word (apokteino) for what man can do and another Greek word (apollumi) for what God can do.

Parallel with Luke 12:4-5: "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." KJV Luke 12:4-5 indicates that while man can kill the body, God can kill the body, then afterward cast into hell. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" KJV

Eternal absence from the presence of the Lord certainly constitutes destruction (olethros, from a primary ollumi (to destroy; a prolonged form); ruin, i.e. death, punishment:--destruction. Strongs Greek, of which the base is contained in apollumi) but not annihilation.