Hell vs. Purgatory: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
"Hell" is often conceptualized as a place of eternal suffering in various religious beliefs, while "Purgatory" is viewed, especially in Catholicism, as a temporary state where souls are purified for Heaven.
Key Differences
Hell and Purgatory, while both are concepts in religious theology, have distinctly divergent connotations and meanings. Hell is predominantly recognized as a place or state of perpetual torment and despair. In contrast, Purgatory generally denotes a place or state where souls undergo purification to achieve the sanctity necessary to enter Heaven.
The concept of Hell widely involves eternal punishment, a permanent domain where damned souls undergo ceaseless suffering. Alternatively, Purgatory is, notably in Catholic belief, a transient phase in which souls are cleansed and prepared for Paradise, indicating a chance for redemption and eternal peace thereafter.
Depictions of Hell often present a fiery, painful, and harrowing environment, where souls experience relentless anguish as retribution for their sins. Conversely, Purgatory is commonly depicted as a refining fire, where souls, while they may experience discomfort and pain, are essentially purged of sin and imperfection.
Interestingly, Hell is a consistent concept across various religious and mythological narratives, symbolizing ultimate despair and ethical consequence. Whereas Purgatory is not universally acknowledged across all denominations and faiths, with its most elaborate descriptions found within Catholic doctrine.
Hell serves as a moral warning, frequently deterring immoral conduct due to the fear of eternal punishment. Meanwhile, Purgatory might be perceived as an embodiment of mercy and a second chance, providing an opportunity for souls to cleanse themselves and attain heavenly peace.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A place of eternal punishment
A place where souls are purified
Type
Noun
Noun
Duration
Perceived as eternal
Considered temporary
Purpose
Punishment for the wicked
Purification of souls
Universality in Belief
Common in various religious beliefs
Predominantly recognized within Catholic theology
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Hell and Purgatory Definitions
Hell
A place envisioned as a domain of perpetual suffering.
Some believe sinners are consigned to Hell.
Purgatory
Any place or condition of temporary punishment or suffering.
The traffic jam was pure Purgatory.
Hell
Used to express annoyance or frustration.
What the Hell is going on here?
Purgatory
A purifying experience or ordeal.
The intense training was a Purgatory for them.
Hell
Often Hell The place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, often imagined as being presided over by Satan and his devils.
Purgatory
A state of awaiting final judgment and purification.
Souls in Purgatory await their passage to Heaven.
Hell
A state of separation from God; exclusion from God's presence.
Purgatory
A means of obtaining something through purification or temporary suffering.
The internship was a Purgatory before the job.
Hell
The abode of the dead in any of various religious traditions, such as the Hebrew Sheol or the Greek Hades; the underworld.
Purgatory
Roman Catholic Church A state in which the souls of those who have died in grace must expiate their sins.
Hell
A situation or place of evil, misery, discord, or destruction
"War is hell" (William Tecumseh Sherman).
Purgatory
A place or condition of suffering, expiation, or remorse
A purgatory of drug abuse.
Hell
An extremely difficult experience; torment or anguish
Went through hell on the job.
Purgatory
Tending to cleanse or purge.
Hell
The spirits in hell or the powers of evil
All hell could not stop him.
Purgatory
(Christianity) Purgatory
Hell
(Informal) One that causes trouble, agony, or annoyance
The boss is hell when a job is poorly done.
Purgatory
Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
Hell
A sharp scolding
Gave the student hell for cheating.
Purgatory
Tending to cleanse; expiatory.
Hell
A tailor's receptacle for discarded material.
Purgatory
Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory.
Hell
(Printing) A hellbox.
Purgatory
A state or place of purification after death; according to the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven.
Hell
An outstanding or noteworthy example
You are one hell of a good cook.
Purgatory
A temporary condition of torment or suffering;
A purgatory of drug abuse
Hell
Used as an intensive
How the hell should I know?.
Purgatory
(theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins
Hell
Used for intensive effect in idioms such as beat the hell out of (someone) for beat (someone) very badly.
Purgatory
In Catholic doctrine, a place or state of suffering where souls are purified.
She believed her husband was in Purgatory.
Hell
(Archaic) A gambling house.
Hell
To behave riotously; carouse
Out all night helling around.
Hell
Used to express anger, disgust, or impatience.
Hell
A place of torment where some or all sinners and evil spirits are believed to go after death.
May you rot in hell!
Hell
A place or situation of great suffering in life.
My new boss is making my job a hell.
I went through hell to get home today.
Hell
(countable) A place for gambling.
Hell
(figuratively) An extremely hot place.
You don’t have a snowball's chance in hell.
Hell
Used as an intensifier in phrases grammatically requiring a noun.
I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more.
What the hell is wrong with you?!
He says he’s going home early? Like hell he is.
Hell
(obsolete) A place into which a tailor throws shreds, or a printer discards broken type.
Hell
Something extremely painful or harmful (to)
That steep staircase is hell on my knees.
Hell
Used to express discontent, unhappiness, or anger.
Oh, hell! I got another parking ticket.
Hell
Used to emphasize.
Hell, yeah!
Hell
Used to introduce an intensified statement following an understated one; nay; not only that, but.
Do it, or, rest assured, there will be no more Middle Eastern crisis – hell, there will be no more Middle East!
Hell
(postpositional) nodot=a or like hell.
Hell
; used to emphasize strongly.
That was hell good!
They're hell sexy.
Hell
To add luster to; to burnish (silver or gold).
Hell
(rare) To pour.
Hell
The place of the dead, or of souls after death; the grave; - called in Hebrew sheol, and by the Greeks hades.
He descended into hell.
Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell.
Hell
The place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental torment; anguish.
It is a knellThat summons thee to heaven or to hell.
Hell
A place where outcast persons or things are gathered
Hell
To overwhelm.
Hell
Any place of pain and turmoil;
The hell of battle
The inferno of the engine room
When you're alone Christmas is the pits
Hell
A cause of difficulty and suffering;
War is hell
Go to blazes
Hell
(Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment;
Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
A demon from the depths of the pit
Hell
(religion) the world of the dead;
He didn't want to go to hell when he died
Hell
Violent and excited activity;
They began to fight like sin
Hell
Noisy and unrestrained mischief;
Raising blazes
Hell
A situation or place of chaos or destruction.
The battlefield was a living Hell.
Hell
A state or place of utter torment or darkness.
He described the prison as Hell.
Hell
Used to emphasize a point or statement.
There’s no way in Hell I'm doing that.
FAQs
Define Purgatory?
Purgatory is perceived, especially in Catholicism, as a place where souls are purified before entering Heaven.
Is Hell considered permanent?
Yes, Hell is typically considered a place of eternal suffering.
Is Hell present in all religious beliefs?
No, concepts of Hell vary widely among different religions and denominations.
Is Hell always depicted as fiery?
While commonly depicted as fiery, interpretations of Hell can vary.
Can Purgatory refer to non-religious suffering?
Yes, "Purgatory" can describe any situation involving suffering or ordeal.
Who believes in Purgatory?
Purgatory is primarily acknowledged within Catholicism, though not in all Christian denominations.
What is Hell?
Hell is commonly understood as a place of eternal torment and punishment.
Can souls leave Purgatory?
Yes, in beliefs that recognize Purgatory, souls eventually ascend to Heaven after purification.
Can Hell be used in casual language?
Yes, "Hell" is often used informally to express frustration or emphasis.
Does belief in Hell dictate behavior?
Some argue that belief in Hell can influence moral and ethical choices.
Does everyone go to Purgatory?
Not according to all beliefs; in Catholicism, only certain souls undergo purification in Purgatory.
Is Hell only a religious concept?
Primarily yes, though it has permeations in cultural and fictional narratives.
Is fear of Hell a moral deterrent?
Yes, often Hell is used as a warning against immoral behavior.
Can Purgatory be perceived positively?
In some views, Purgatory is a merciful second chance for purification.
Can Purgatory refer to a place on Earth?
Metaphorically, yes; it can describe any difficult or transitional situation or place.
Is Hell depicted the same globally?
No, depictions and perceptions of Hell can vary across cultures and beliefs.
Is Purgatory mentioned in the Bible?
Purgatory, per se, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, and interpretations vary.
Is Purgatory a painful experience?
Beliefs vary, but it's often seen as an uncomfortable yet purifying process.
Can anyone pray for souls in Purgatory?
In beliefs recognizing Purgatory, anyone can pray for the souls therein.
Are children taught about Hell?
Teaching about Hell to children varies widely among religious and personal beliefs.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
