Where is it in the Bible?
The term "purgatory" has a Latin origin and it means: to purge, to cleanse or to make clean or to cleansed once again.
This term was adopted by the Church fathers in their teachings to refer to those departed souls who have not attended salvation and are still undergoing purification. These souls tried to serve God and made effort to please Him but in the process of trying to do God's will they fell, out of human weakness. Since Scripture says, "Nothing impure will enter heaven", (Rev 21:27).These people can't be admitted to heaven immediately. It will also be illogical to conclude that they are in Hell. They will be saved but after the moment of their purification. Thus, Paul writes:
There are many others who will be saved but it will be with much struggle or as to pass through fire (1 Cor 3:10-15). St Paul is referring to the process of purification (Purg-a-tory), fire of purification.
In this passage St Paul highlights that those who built on a solid foundation will be saved while those who built without using strong materials will be saved but with much struggle.
*WHERE CAN WE FIND THIS IN THE BIBLE?*
The word purgatory is never found written in the Bible. However, traces of its existence are found in some of Jesus's teaching about the last judgement.
*1. Lk. 12: 54-59*
Here Jesus talks about this purification when he said that at the Master's return, "the unprepared servant will be put into the prison and he will never go out until he has paid the last penny."
Following Paul, we can underline the following points:
1. A prison as a place where those have committed one crime or the othe are being kept for a moment, pending the gravity of their offense.
2. We know, prisoners cannot help themselves, they must serve their prison times, BUT those outside (family and friends) can make an appeal that their judgement maybe revisited and if possible their time of service in the prison reduced.
This is exactly why we pray for our departed brothers and sisters especially those who have entered the PRISON OF PURGATORY and cannot help themselves out of there. Our faith is that since they cannot help themselves or do anything for themselves, through our daily prayers we can ask God's mercy on them and forgiveness being granted them so that they can gain salvation.
3. When a prisoner's ransom is paid, especially when demanded and when a prisoner finishes his/her time of imprisonment, such person becomes free. Hence, when God finds them purified, He will set them free.
Therefore, we can say that purgatory is a place of settlement of faults. That is why in:
*2. Lk. 12:45-59 & Mt. 5:25-26*
Jesus explains that the servants who are not ready at the master's return will receive very many strokes of the cane but but he who prepared but later failed out of weakness will receive fewer strokes. With this, we can confidently say that there is no equal judgment given to every sin. Someone who has committed a grave sin (adultery, murder, etc) and a person who maybe out of human weakness told a lie or stole a pen cannot be judged equally. These are sins but cannot merit same punishment.
This is where we anchor our teaching on purgatory and praying for the dead.
Eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. May they rest in peace, Amen. 🙏
*Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*
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