Hell: Catholic Cheat Sheet

The Short Explanation

Hell is a place for those souls who have chosen to spend eternity separated from God and love. Hell is not a punishment that God inflicts on bad people. Rather, it is an eternal, voluntary choice that can be made if a sinner wants to reject God’s forgiving, merciful love.

Why it Matters to You

It is important to understand hell so that you don’t live in fear of it. God sees your heart and knows you better than you know yourself. In hell, there won’t be souls who on earth were honestly trying to do His will, and follow His ways, but who fell short sometimes; rather, souls who may be in hell will be those who directly and freely rejected God’s will and laws. Hell is a result of our gift of free will. Because we have free will, we can choose to love God now and forever, or we can choose to reject His love, now and forever.

Catechism References about Hell

Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1033-1037, 1861

Bible Verses about Hell

2 Peter 3:9
1 Timothy 2:4
Mark 9:43
Acts 2:27
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:50
Matthew 25:46
Romans 6:23
2 Thessalonians 1:9
Job 10:21-22
Luke 12:4-5

Saint Quotes About Hell

St John of the Cross, Mystic and Doctor of the Church – At the evening of life, we shall be judged on love.

St. Augustine – That fire is more deadly than any which man can suffer in this life.

St. Bernard – I am filled with fear and trembling, and all my bones are shaken at the thought of that unhappy country of the damned.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons – To whomsoever the Lord shall say, “Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire,” they will be damned forever.’

St. Justin Martyr – We have been taught that only they may aim at immortality who have lived a holy and virtuous life near to God. We believe that they who live wickedly and do not repent will be punished in everlasting fire.