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Annihilationism and Matthew 7:13-14, many are led to destruction

by | Oct 11, 2018 | Annihilationism, Minor Groups & Issues

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it,” (Matthew 7:13–14).

Conditionalists use Matthew 7:13-14 because it contains the word “destruction.” Typically in conditionalist circles, destruction means nonexistence. But, the texts they use don’t necessitate their assumptions. Nevertheless, with Matt. 7:13-14, when they assume that destruction means nonexistence, they are begging the question. Nothing in the two verses say that people will stop existing on the Day of Judgment.

The word for destruction in Matthew 7:13 is ἀπώλεια, apoleia.  See the Word study on apoleia, destroy.  It occurs 17 times in 17 verses.  Following is the summation of its usage in different contexts.

  1. A person, 2 occurrences
    1. Judas Iscariot, John 17:12
    2. Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2:3
  2. Doctrines that damn, 1 occurrence
    1. 2 Pet. 2:1
  3. Physical and/or Spiritual death, 7 occurrences
    1. Acts 8:20; Phil. 1:28; 3:19; 1 Tim. 6:9; 2 Pet. 2:3; 2 Pet. 3:7, 16
  4. Something wasted, 2 occurrences
    1. Matt. 26:8; Mark 14:4,
  5. Spiritual Death, 5 occurrences
    1. Matt. 7:13; Rom. 9:22; Heb. 10:39; Rev. 17:8, 11

ἀπώλεια Destroy

“The Greek word apoleia was used in the New Testament to designate the destruction of persons, objects, and institutions. When it comes to persons such as Judas Iscariot (John 17:12) and the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3), the meaning of destruction is open. In other words, the contexts do not necessitate nonexistence or continued existence. The word is used of spiritual death (Matt. 7:13; Rom. 9:22; Heb. 10:39; Rev. 17:8, 11.) but again, exactly what the nature of this spiritual death is, whether it be existence or nonexistence, is not stated. Since the topic under discussion is whether or not people are annihilated or continue to exist for eternity, we cannot beg the question and assume that the spiritual death of people and their destruction automatically means nonexistence. On the other hand, we must be consistent and say such spiritual death and destruction does not necessitate continued existence. So, apoleia cannot be used to prove annihilationism.” (See Word study on apoleia, destroy)

Conclusion

Matthew 7:13-14 does not contain any contextual information that reveals the meaning of the word “destruction.” Though conditionalists claim it means nonexistent, the context does not support or deny that conclusion. Jesus simply said the wicked will be destroyed. The Greek word used in this verse is ἀπώλεια, apoleia, which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. It speaks of the destruction of Judas Iscariot (John 17:12) and the antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3), who will live eternally in torment (Rev. 20:10). In seven other instances, it refers to either physical or spiritual death (Acts 8:20; Phil. 1:28; 3:19; 1 Tim. 6:9; 2 Pet. 2:3; 2 Pet. 3:7, 16). And in five verses, it refers specifically to spiritual death (Matt. 7:13; Rom. 9:22; Heb. 10:39; Rev. 17:8, 11). But, in each case, the nature of that destruction, whether it be existence or nonexistence in the afterlife after the Day of Judgment, is not specified.

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