The City of God · Chapter
Book XXI: The Eternal Punishment of the Damned explained
Augustine discusses the eternal punishment reserved for the devil and his followers, arguing that it is not incredible for bodies to endure everlasting torments.
What happens
Augustine discusses the eternal punishment reserved for the devil and his followers, arguing that it is not incredible for bodies to endure everlasting torments. He addresses objections from those who doubt such punishment, citing examples of creatures that live in fire and the nature of suffering. He also refutes various heretical views that promise impunity from eternal punishment, emphasizing the justice and mercy of God in the final judgment.
Themes in this chapter
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
Augustine emphasizes that the human race is justly condemned due to original sin, and only undeserved grace delivers some from eternal punishment.
Eschatology and the Last Things
The chapter focuses on the final judgment, eternal punishment of the damned, and the eternal happiness of the saints.
Peace, Justice, and the Order of Love
Augustine discusses the justice of God in punishing the wicked and the mercy shown to the redeemed, balancing divine attributes.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and primary voice, defending the doctrine of eternal punishment and refuting opposing views.
- Jesus Christ
Mentioned as the Judge of quick and dead, through whom the two cities reach their proper ends.
- Virgil
Quoted regarding purgatorial punishments after death, representing the Platonist view.
- Plato
Referenced indirectly through the Platonists who maintain that all punishment is remedial.
Key passages
“I propose, with such ability as God may grant me, to discuss in this book more thoroughly the nature of the punishment which shall be assigned to the devil and all his retainers, when the two cities, the one of God, the other of the devil, shall have reached their proper ends through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Judge of quick and dead.”
Augustine intends to explain the eternal punishment of the devil and his followers, which will occur when the city of God and the city of the devil reach their final destinies under Christ's judgment.
Sets the agenda for the chapter: to discuss the fate of the damned before that of the blessed.
“For if the saints used to pray for them when they suffered from their cruel hatred, how much more will they do so when they see them prostrate and humble suppliants?”
If the saints prayed for their enemies while still sinners, they will surely intercede for the damned when they see them humbled.
Augustine refutes the idea that the saints will lose compassion and intercede for the wicked after death.
“For our part, we recognise that even in this life some punishments are purgatorial—not, indeed, to those whose life is none the better, but rather the worse for them, but to those who are constrained by them to amend their life.”
Augustine acknowledges that some punishments in this life are purgatorial, but only for those who are led to repentance, not for those who remain unrepentant.
Distinguishes between purgatorial punishments in this life and eternal punishment after death.