Is heaven the next stop for those who trust in Jesus? Or do we go through a cleansing fire first? Understanding the history and biblical basis for purgatory helps us prepare for the afterlife and appreciate the great hope of the gospel.

What the Catechism teaches

Part III of Article 12 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes purgatory as the “final purification of the elect.” The idea is that believers, though forgiven, still need to undergo punishment and purification “to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” This is described as a “cleansing fire.”

Verses offered in support of purgatory

Both the Council of Florence (1439) and the Council of Trent (1545-1563) put forward three verses in support of this doctrine.

They quote Matthew 12:32 which says, “Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” From this, they conclude that Jesus seems to imply that some sins are forgiven after death. But Jesus doesn’t say that—He only affirms that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven in either age. Building a doctrine on a passage that doesn’t teach it is dangerous.

Another verse they cite is 1 Corinthians 3:15: “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” This does teach that our work will be judged and tested by fire, but there’s no indication that believers themselves will be punished or purified.

Paul is simply teaching that if you build a ministry on worldly means like charm or superficial technique—what he calls in verse 12 “wood, hay, straw”–none of it will last. But he’s talking about the quality of our efforts, not the guilt of our sins: “the fire will test what sort of work each one has done” (1 Corinthians 3:13). This has nothing to do with purgatory.

The final verse offered in support of purgatory is from 2 Maccabees 12:45, which says, “Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” This verse comes from a book that has never been accepted as Scripture by Jews or Protestants. Not only does it contradict the rest of Scripture, but it also contradicts Catholic teaching.

Judas Maccabeus takes up a collection and offers a sin offering for fallen soldiers after discovering they had died in idolatry. Verse 40 says, “And they found on each of the dead some of the sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was why these men had fallen.” Catholic doctrine teaches that those who die in mortal sin—like idolatry—go to hell, not purgatory. So this passage undermines, rather than supports, the Catholic position.

The greater hope that the Bible offers

Not only does the Bible not teach that believers go through a purifying fire after death, but the hope it offers makes belief in purgatory impossible.

When Paul faced the prospect of death, he said, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23). There’s no hint of flames, punishment, or a need to pray or give offerings on his behalf. He’s even more clear in 2 Corinthians 5:8: “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” For Paul, a believer is either in the body or with the Lord. There’s no in-between.

Some might argue that only someone as holy as Paul could avoid purgatory. But Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross settles the question. In Luke 23:43, He tells a condemned criminal, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” If a man guilty of crimes worthy of death enters directly into Paradise through faith in Christ, then purgatory has no place.

The idea that we must pray for the dead or give money to the church to ease someone’s suffering after death contradicts Jesus, Scripture, and the gospel. We have a far greater hope than that.

In awe of Him,

Paul