How many Greek words are translated "hell" in the New Testament? Ans.--Three. Are they correctly translated? Ans.--No; one of them, hades, means the place of disembodied spirits. Name the places where this word occurs. Matt. xi: 23; xvi: 18; Luke x: 15; xvi: 23; Acts ii: 31; Rev. i: 18; vi: 8; xx: 13, 14.

      Was the rich man (Luke xvi: 23) in hell, then, or only in hades? Is it hell, or only hades, that is to give up her dead and be cast into the lake of fire, as is stated in Rev. xx: 13, 14? Is it the soul and body both, or only the soul, that goes into hades?

      Are both of the other words properly rendered hell? Ans.--No; one of them is Tartarus, and means the place into which the fallen angels have been cast down. How often does this word occur? Ans.--Only once: in II Peter ii: 4.

      In all other passages where the English word "hell" occurs, what is the original? Ans.--Gehenna. Is it the soul alone, or the soul and body both, which are to be cast in hell? Matt. x: 8.

      Quote what Jesus says of hell in Mark ix: 43-48. If the fire of hell "never shall be quenched," what is the duration of that punishment? Will it, then, like hades, give up its dead and be destroyed? What is meant by the statement in the passage just quoted, "their worm dieth not?" Ans.--The internal suffering of the lost is compared to a worm eating within us forever. [106]

      As the soul and body both are to be cast into hell, when do men enter it, before or after the resurrection? When does hades come to an end? Re xx: 13, 14. What is the connection, then, between the end of hades and the beginning of hell? Will you now repeat the points of difference that we have found between hades and hell?

      Is the lake that burned with fire and brimstone (Rev. xx: 15; xxi: 8.) to be understood literally or figuratively? Ans.--It is to be understood literally as having been seen in John's vision, but whether it is the real punishment, or only a symbol of it we do not know. If it is a symbol, what is its meaning? Ans.--It means that the suffering of hell is comparable to being cast into such a lake. In what other language is the final punishment represented? Matt. xxv: 30. How do you know that this passage refers to the final punishment? Ans.--From the fact that it is to take place when the Lord comes to reckon with his servants (verse 19), which will be at the final judgment. What is meant by "outer darkness?" Ans.--Darkness outside of all light. What feelings are represented by weeping and gnashing of teeth? If a person were in perpetual darkness, and surrounded by weeping and gnashing of teeth, could any condition be more wretched? Could any torture be greater than a lake of fire and brimstone? Can we conceive, then, of greater wretchedness and torture than the wicked are to suffer in hell?

[FBL 106-107]