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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 25:46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/25-46.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/40_Mat_25_46.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 25:46 - The Sheep and the Goats" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but the righteous into eternal life." <a href="/kjv/matthew/25.htm">King James Bible</a> And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/25.htm">New King James Version</a> And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <a href="/amp/matthew/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.” <a href="/csb/matthew/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/25.htm">American Standard Version</a> And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. <a href="/cev/matthew/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then Jesus said, "Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life." <a href="/erv/matthew/25.htm">English Revised Version</a> And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. <a href="/gwt/matthew/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "These people will go away into eternal punishment, but those with God's approval will go into eternal life." <a href="/gnt/matthew/25.htm">Good News Translation</a> These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life." <a href="/isv/matthew/25.htm">International Standard Version</a> These people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life." <a href="/msb/matthew/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.? <a href="/net/matthew/25.htm">NET Bible</a> And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." <a href="/nheb/matthew/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life." <a href="/wbt/matthew/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. <a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages." <a href="/web/matthew/25.htm">World English Bible</a> These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And these will go away into continuous punishment, but the righteous into continuous life.” <a href="/blb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And these will go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into eternal life." <a href="/ylt/matthew/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.' <a href="/slt/matthew/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: and the just into eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And these shall go into eternal punishment, but the just shall go into eternal life.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/25.htm">New American Bible</a> And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And these shall go into everlasting torment, and the righteous into eternal life. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/25.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And these will go into eternal torture, and the righteous into eternal life.” <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/25.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And these shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. <a href="/godbey/matthew/25.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And these shall go away into eternal punishment: and the righteous into eternal life.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/25.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/25.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. <a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages." <a href="/worrell/matthew/25.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"And these shall go away into age-lasting punishment, but the righteous into age-lasting life."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/25.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life everlasting.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/25-46.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7866" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">The Sheep and the Goats</a> …45Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ 46<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">they</a> <a href="/greek/565.htm" title="565: apeleusontai (V-FIM-3P) -- From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.">will go away</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2851.htm" title="2851: kolasin (N-AFS) -- Chastisement, punishment, torment, perhaps with the idea of deprivation. From kolazo; penal infliction.">punishment,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1342.htm" title="1342: dikaioi (Adj-NMP) -- From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.">righteous</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/5-29.htm">John 5:29</a> and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6-8</a> God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. <a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Revelation 20:12-15</a> And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. / Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. ... <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:9</a> They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, <a href="/mark/9-43.htm">Mark 9:43-48</a> If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. / where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ / If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ... <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-18</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. / Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. <a href="/revelation/14-11.htm">Revelation 14:11</a> And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a> “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a> Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a> For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. <a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28</a> I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-12</a> And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. <a href="/psalms/9-17.htm">Psalm 9:17</a> The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God. <a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm">Proverbs 11:19</a> Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.everlasting.<a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Matthew 25:41</a> Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:<a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.<a href="/mark/9-44.htm">Mark 9:44,46,48,49</a> Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched… the righteous.<a href="/matthew/13-43.htm">Matthew 13:43</a> Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.<a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10,11</a> For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption… <a href="/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15,16,36</a> That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/24-9.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/matthew/26-32.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/28-14.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 25</div>1. <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">The parable of the ten virgins,</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">and of the talents.</a> 31. <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Also the description of the last judgment.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And they will go away into eternal punishment This phrase refers to the final judgment where individuals are separated based on their actions and faith. The concept of "eternal punishment" is consistent with other biblical teachings on hell, such as in <a href="/revelation/20-15.htm">Revelation 20:15</a>, where those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire. The term "eternal" emphasizes the unending nature of this punishment, aligning with the Greek word "aionios," which denotes perpetuity. This reflects the seriousness of rejecting God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. The imagery of separation and punishment is also seen in the parable of the wheat and the tares (<a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30, 36</a>-43), where the tares are gathered and burned.but the righteous into eternal life. In contrast to eternal punishment, the "righteous" are those who have been justified by faith in Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/5.htm">Romans 5:1</a>. This righteousness is not of their own doing but is imputed through faith, as explained in <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a>. "Eternal life" is a central promise of the Gospel, highlighted in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>, where belief in Jesus grants everlasting life. This life is not merely unending existence but a quality of life in communion with God, as described in <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a>. The promise of eternal life fulfills Old Testament prophecies of a restored relationship with God, such as in <a href="/isaiah/25-8.htm">Isaiah 25:8</a>, where death is swallowed up forever. The dichotomy between eternal punishment and eternal life underscores the gravity of the choices made in this life and the eternal consequences that follow.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering a parable about the final judgment. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_sheep_and_the_goats.htm">The Sheep and the Goats</a> Symbolic representations of the righteous and the unrighteous, respectively, in the parable of the final judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_punishment.htm">Eternal Punishment</a> The destiny of the unrighteous, indicating a state of perpetual separation from God. 4. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life.htm">Eternal Life</a> The reward for the righteous, signifying everlasting communion with God. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_final_judgment.htm">The Final Judgment</a> The event where Jesus separates the righteous from the unrighteous based on their actions and faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_eternal_destinies.htm">The Reality of Eternal Destinies</a> This verse underscores the biblical teaching that there are two eternal destinies: eternal punishment and eternal life. It challenges us to consider the seriousness of our choices and their eternal consequences. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteousness.htm">The Importance of Righteousness</a> Righteousness is not merely a matter of belief but is demonstrated through actions. This passage calls us to live out our faith in tangible ways that reflect God's love and justice. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_the_gospel.htm">The Urgency of the Gospel</a> Understanding the reality of eternal punishment should motivate us to share the gospel with urgency, knowing that people's eternal destinies are at stake. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> This verse invites us to examine our own lives to ensure that our faith is genuine and that we are living in a way that aligns with God's will. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_eternal_life.htm">Hope in Eternal Life</a> For believers, this verse offers the assurance of eternal life with God, encouraging us to persevere in faith and good works.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 25</a> <a href="/q/is_eternal_punishment_justifiable.htm">Is eternal punishment justifiable?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_a_hell.htm">Is there a hell?</a> <a href="/q/why_believe_in_heaven_and_hell.htm">Why should I believe in Heaven and Hell?</a> <a href="/q/is_eternal_hell_just_for_finite_sins.htm">If Hell is eternal torment, how is that a just punishment for finite sins?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(46) Everlasting punishment . . . life eternal.--The two adjectives represent one and the same Greek word, ????????, and we ought therefore to have the same word in both clauses in the English. Of the two words, "eternal" is philologically preferable, as being traceably connected with the Greek, the Latin aetemus being derived from aetas, and that from aevum, which, in its turn, is but another form of the Greek ???? (aeon). The bearing of the passage on the nature and duration of future punishment is too important to be passed over; and though the question is too wide to be determined by a single text, all that the text contributes to its solution should be fully and fairly weighed. On the one hand, then, it is urged that as we hold the "eternal life" to have no end, so we must hold also the endlessness of the "eternal fire." On the other hand, it must be admitted (1) that the Greek word which is rendered "eternal," does not in itself involve endlessness, but rather duration, whether through an age or a succession of ages; and that it is therefore applied in the New Testament to periods of time that have had both beginning and ending (<a href="/romans/16-25.htm" title="Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,">Romans 16:25</a>, where the Greek is "from aeonian times," our version giving "since the world began"--comp. <a href="/2_timothy/1-9.htm" title="Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,">2Timothy 1:9</a>; <a href="/titus/1-2.htm" title="In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;">Titus 1:2</a>), and in the Greek version of the Old Testament to institutions and ordinances that were confessedly to wax old and vanish away (<a href="/genesis/17-8.htm" title="And I will give to you, and to your seed after you, the land wherein you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.">Genesis 17:8</a>; <a href="/leviticus/3-17.htm" title="It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that you eat neither fat nor blood.">Leviticus 3:17</a>); and (2) that in the language of a Greek Father (Gregory of Nyssa, who held the doctrine of the restitution of all things) it is even connected with the word "interval," as expressing the duration of the penal discipline which was, he believed, to come to an end after an aeonian intervening period. Strictly speaking, therefore, the word, as such, and apart from its association with any qualifying substantive, implies a vast undefined duration, rather than one in the full sense of the word "infinite." The solemnity of the words at the close of the great prophecy of judgment tends obviously to the conclusion that our Lord meant His disciples, and through them His people in all ages, to dwell upon the division which was involved in the very idea of judgment, as one which was not to be changed. Men must reap as they have sown, and the consequences of evil deeds, or of failure to perform good deeds, must, in the nature of the case, work out their retribution, so far as we can see, with no assignable limit. On the other hand, once again, (1) the symbolism of Scriptural language suggests the thought that "fire" is not necessarily the material element that inflicts unutterable torture on the body, and that the penalty of sin may possibly be an intense and terrible consciousness of the presence of God, who is as a "consuming fire" (<a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm" title="For our God is a consuming fire.">Hebrews 12:29</a>) in the infinite majesty of His holiness, united with the sense of being at variance with it, and therefore under condemnation. And (2), assuming the perpetuity of the "punishment," it does not involve necessarily an equality of suffering for the whole multitude of the condemned at any time, nor for any single soul throughout its whole duration. Without dwelling, as some have done, on the fact that the Greek word here used for "punishment" had acquired a definite significance as used by ethical writers for reformative rather than vindictive or purely retributive suffering (Aristot. Rhet. i. 10), it is yet conceivable that the acceptance of suffering as deserved may mitigate its severity; and we cannot, consistently with any true thoughts of God, conceive of Him as fixing, by an irresistible decree, the will of any created being in the attitude of resistance to His will. That such resistance is fatally possible we see by a wide and painful experience, and as the "hardening" in such cases is the result of a divine law, it may, from one point of view, be described as the act of God (<a href="/romans/9-18.htm" title="Therefore has he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.">Romans 9:18</a>); but a like experience attests that, though suffering does not cease to be suffering, it may yet lose something of its bitterness by being accepted as deserved, and the law of continuity and analogy, which, to say the least, must be allowed some weight in our thoughts of the life to come, suggests that it may be so there also. (For other aspects of this momentous question, see Notes on <a href="/matthew/5-26.htm" title="Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.">Matthew 5:26</a>; <a href="/matthew/18-34.htm" title="And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.">Matthew 18:34</a>.) (3) As to the nature of the "eternal life" which is thus promised to those who follow the guidance of the Light that lighteth every man, we must remember, that within a few short hours of the utterance of these words, it was defined by our Lord in the hearing of those who listened to them: "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (<a href="/john/17-3.htm" title="And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.">John 17:3</a>). That life in its very nature tends to perpetuity, and it is absolutely inconceivable that after having lasted through the ages which the word "eternal," on any etymological explanation, implies, it should then fail and cease. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 46. - Shall go away. Bengel notes that the King will first address the righteous in the audience of the unrighteous, but these last will be dismissed to their place of punishment before the others actually receive their reward. Thus the evil will see nothing of the life eternal, while the good will be bold the vengeance inflicted on the others (<a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Matthew 13:49</a>). Into everlasting punishment (εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον)... life eternal (everlasting, ζωὴν αἰώνιον). The same term is used in both places, and ought to have been so translated. The word κόλασις in strict classical usage denotes punishment inflicted for the correction and improvement of the offender, τιμωρίΑ being employed to signify punishment in satisfaction of outraged justice, or to revenge an injury. But it is open to doubt whether the former term is to be taken in its strictest sense in the New Testament. A ceaseless controversy rests on the meaning of αἰώνιος, some contending that it signifies "everlasting," and nothing else; others that its sense is modified by the idea to which it is attached; and others again that it ought to be rendered by "aeonian," to which is given an indeterminate signification governed by our conception of the duration expressed by men. This is not the place to discuss this perplexing question, nor shall I attempt to dogmatize upon the problem. Suffice it to make these few observations. On the one hand, taking the literal sense of our Lord's words, and the meaning which his hearers would attach to them, we must believe that the risen life and the second death are equally everlasting (see Judith 16:17; Ecclus. 7:17; 4 Macc. 12:12). And if it is thought that eternity of punishment is incompatible with love and benevolence, and inequitable as the penalty of offences committed in time, it must be remembered that eternity of reward is infinitely beyond all human claims, and bears no proportion to the merits of the recipient. Nor may we reason from our conception of the nature and attributes of God; how these attributes work harmoniously together, though seemingly opposed, we cannot presume to determine. The consequences of sin even in this world are often irretrievable, as are some human punishments. We have no reason to suppose that punishment is inflicted only for the correction of the criminal (see on ver. 41), nor is it possible to conceive how this result could be effected by condemning him to the society of devils. Further, we have to regard the heinousness of sin in God's sight, remembering the infinite price paid for its expiation. And lastly, the doctrine does not depend upon this passage only, but is supported by many other statements in both the Old and New Testaments: e.g. <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a>; <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>; <a href="/mark/9-44.htm">Mark 9:44, 46, 48</a>; <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a>. Such are some of the chief arguments in favour of the everlasting nature of future punishment. On the other hand, we have to remark that our Lord is here not concerned with teaching this doctrine of eternity; he assumes the authorized view of the matter, and draws his awful lesson from that view. It is certainly true that the meaning of αἰώνιος is not fixed and uniform; it is conditioned by the term to which it appertains. No one would say that "everlasting" was applied to God and to a mountain in the same sense; and though it seems incongruous to find a difference of meaning in the same sentence, yet there may be reasons for distinguishing the signification of the qualifying adjective in the terms "eternal life" and "eternal punishment." God, indeed, cannot draw back from his promise, but he may be more merciful than the tenor of his threats seems to imply. It is possible that "aeonian" may denote merely indefinite duration without the connotation of never ending. Such like are the pleas brought forward to lessen the plain enunciation of the awful truth. For myself I do not see any escape from the import of the statement, nor any hope of amelioration in the case of the lest, when relegated to the scene of their penal existence (see on Matthew 18:8, 9). But I set no bounds to the Divine mercy and wisdom; and God may see a mode of reconciling his strict justice with his desire of man's salvation, which our finite understanding cannot grasp. All we can say here is that infinite misery and infinite happiness are set before us, and that God has thus shown the two ends without reserve or possible modification, in order that we may be aroused to shun the one and to win the other. "From thy wrath, and from ever lasting damnation, good Lord, deliver us." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/25-46.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. they οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. will go away ἀπελεύσονται (apeleusontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. punishment, κόλασιν (kolasin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2851.htm">Strong's 2851: </a> Chastisement, punishment, torment, perhaps with the idea of deprivation. From kolazo; penal infliction. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. righteous δίκαιοι (dikaioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1342.htm">Strong's 1342: </a> From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. life.” ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/25-46.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/25-45.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 25:45"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 25:45" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/26-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 26:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>