Will There Be Degrees Of Punishment?

An individual once asked, “Does Luke 12:47-48 teach there will be 'degrees' of punishment?" The text in Luke 12:47-48  states: “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.“

After a careful study of the above verses, this Bible student’s conclusion is that Luke 12:47-48 does indeed teach degrees of punishment. A companion passage is found in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, describing the Lord’s punishment upon two classes of individuals — “those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Those who have a greater knowledge of God’s word, yet fail to do His will (Matthew 7:21), will receive greater punishment than those who do not have any knowledge of His will. This teaching is also found in 2 Peter 2:20-21.

Their punishment will be fitted according to the sin committed — the punishment will fit the crime. Punishment will also be rendered in direct proportion to the abilities, opportunities, and knowledge of the offender (cf. Matthew 25:14-30).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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