By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Purgatory isn’t in the Bible, but it shaped centuries of Christian belief. Where did it come from, and why does it still spark debate today?
For centuries, the idea of purgatory has stirred debate among Christians worldwide. Often described as a place or state of purification after death, purgatory is taught in Roman Catholic theology as the temporary condition where souls not damned to hell but not fully prepared for heaven undergo purification. Yet the Bible itself never once uses the word “purgatory,” raising a crucial question: how did this belief come about, and why does it continue to spark theological controversy today?
The Roots of the Idea
The concept of purgatory does not originate in Scripture but rather developed in early Christian tradition. By the 2nd century AD, references to prayers for the dead appear in Christian writings, influenced partly by Jewish traditions like those found in 2 Maccabees 12:44–46, where prayers are offered for fallen soldiers.
By the 4th and 5th centuries, Church Fathers such as Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) and Gregory the Great (540–604 AD) advanced the idea that some sins could be cleansed after death through a purifying process. Gregory the Great, in particular, explicitly used the term “purging fire.”
The belief was formalized over time:
- 1274 – Second Council of Lyon: Officially endorsed purgatory as doctrine.
- 1439 – Council of Florence: Reaffirmed purgatory’s existence and the value of prayers for the dead.
- 1563 – Council of Trent: Made purgatory a binding Catholic teaching, emphasizing that souls can be helped by Masses, prayers, and almsgiving.
What the Bible Actually Says
The Bible does not use the term “purgatory” in any form. Instead, several verses have been interpreted by Catholic scholars to support the idea of post-death purification:
- 1 Corinthians 3:13–15 – Paul describes a person’s work being “tested by fire.” While saved, they may be saved “as through fire.” Catholics view this as a hint of purgatory.
- Matthew 12:32 – Jesus mentions sins that will not be forgiven “in this age or in the age to come.” Some see this as implying forgiveness after death.
- 2 Maccabees 12:44–46 – Explicitly speaks of prayers for the dead, though this book is not included in the Protestant Old Testament.
Yet, for many Protestant traditions, passages like Hebrews 9:27—“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”—make it clear that there is no “in-between state.”
Logical Explanations
Supporters of purgatory argue it answers the problem of how imperfect people enter a perfect heaven. Since Revelation 21:27 says nothing impure shall enter heaven, purgatory is understood as a merciful bridge, purifying believers so they can stand before God.
Critics, however, insist that purgatory undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. If Jesus’ death fully paid for sin, they argue, no “second cleansing” is needed. For Protestants, salvation is immediate upon faith in Christ.
A Theological Lens
From a theological standpoint, purgatory reflects the Catholic emphasis on sanctification as a process continuing even after death, while Protestants emphasize justification as a completed act through Christ alone.
- Catholic View: Purgatory is a temporary mercy, not punishment, for souls destined for heaven.
- Protestant View: Purgatory has no biblical foundation; believers are made righteous fully through Christ at the moment of death.
Purgatory, while deeply embedded in Catholic tradition, remains absent from the pages of Scripture. It stands as a doctrine born out of theological reasoning, church councils, and centuries of tradition rather than biblical mandate.
For some, it offers comfort, the idea of a merciful God granting souls another chance to be purified. For others, it is a distortion, obscuring the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Either way, the doctrine of purgatory challenges believers to wrestle with a timeless question: How does a holy God prepare imperfect people for His perfect presence?
The Last Word: Beyond Debate, Toward Salvation
In the centuries-old debate over purgatory, one truth is clear: neither Catholics nor Protestants will ever truly “win.” Each side defends its position through its own set of values and beliefs.
But Scripture reminds us that the real victory is not in winning arguments, but in being saved.
As Paul writes in Romans 10:8–9: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
That is the heart of the Christian faith, assurance of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. While scholars and traditions may continue to debate purgatory, the true focus must remain on Christ Himself.
As an apologist, one must lean on history, logic, science, and a sound biblical knowledge to help build upon one’s faith and also to be able to defend Christianity.
But above all, it is more important to rest in the promise of salvation, assured of our presence with the Lord. For in the end, it is not historical traditions or denominational arguments that will matter, but whether we believed and confessed Christ as Savior. That is the only debate worth winning.
The writer is currently in the final year of completing a Master’s degree in Sacred Theology in Los Angeles, California. The in-depth studies undertaken during this course have inspired him to document and analyze a range of topics that frequently arise in discussion.
