When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be
subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may
be all in all. Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves
baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are
they having themselves baptized for them?
1 Corinthians 15, 28-29

In his writings, St. Paul discusses the practice of baptizing “for” or on behalf of the dead, using the Greek preposition hyper (ὑπὲρ). This term can be understood to mean “for the sake of” or “for the benefit of” those in Christ awaiting their bodies’ redemption on the last day. Paul does not criticize the Christian community in Corinth for this tradition, indicating that he likely believed in the efficacy of such practices, suggesting that the sacrament, supportive prayers, and penitential works could assist the souls of the faithfully departed. If these souls were already in Heaven, they would not require help from prayers; conversely, if they were in Hell, they would not be able to benefit from them at all. This raises the question of where these departed souls might be located, and who can benefit from the living’s acts. The Catholic Church presents the concept of Purgatory as a possible answer—a state of existence that lies between Heaven and Hell.

And after the exhibition, Tryphaena again receives her. For her daughter
Falconilla had died, and said to her in a dream: Mother, thou shalt have this
stranger Thecla in my place, in order that she may pray concerning me,
and that I may be transferred to the place of the just.
Acts of Paul and Thecla
(A.D. 160)

They all, therefore, praised the ways of the Lord, the just judge who brings
to light the things that are hidden. Turning to supplication, they prayed
that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas warned
the soldiers to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with
their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had
fallen. He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to
two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for
an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble
way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he
were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless
and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the
splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it
was a holy and pious thought.
Second Book of Maccabees 12, 41-45

Both the Corinthians and Judas Maccabeus participated in rituals that acknowledge the resurrection of the faithful departed. The author of the Old Testament text suggests that it would have been “useless and foolish” for Judas Maccabeus to offer a sacrificial sin offering on behalf of the deceased if there were no hope for their resurrection. This idea is echoed by the Apostle Paul, who raises the question: “If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them?” Paul was likely referencing the Maccabees text in his letter to the Corinthians. He emphasizes that baptism for the dead would be unnecessary only if there were no resurrection on the last day, underscoring that this practice persists alongside Christ’s eternal atonement for sin.

Additionally, temporal atonement is presented as an obligation for the faithful, linking this act to Christ’s temporal propitiation in His humanity as the second Adam, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. In Maccabees 12, God is depicted as a judge, highlighting themes of divine judgment and the remission of sin. This passage indicates the complete erasure of sinful actions and the liberation from the temporal consequences of sin through the appeasement of divine justice.

“Without delay, on that very night, this was shown to me in a vision. I saw
Dinocrates going out from a gloomy place, where also there were several others,
and he was parched and very thirsty, with a filthy countenance and pallid colour, and
the wound on his face which he had when he died. This Dinocrates had been my
brother after the flesh, seven years of age? Who died miserably with disease…But I
trusted that my prayer would bring help to his suffering; and I prayed for him every
day until we passed over into the prison of the camp, for we were to fight in the
camp-show. Then was the birth-day of Gets Caesar, and I made my prayer for my
brother day and night, groaning and weeping that he might be granted to me. Then,
on the day on which we remained in fetters, this was shown to me. I saw that that
place which I had formerly observed to be in gloom was now bright; and Dinocrates,
with a clean body well clad, was finding refreshment. And where there had been a
wound, I saw a scar; and that pool which I had before seen, I saw now with its margin
lowered even to the boy’s navel. And one drew water from the pool incessantly, and
upon its brink was a goblet filled with water; and Dinocrates drew near and began to
drink from it, and the goblet did not fail. And when he was satisfied, he went away
from the water to play joyously, after the manner of children, and I awoke. Then I
understood that he was translated from the place of punishment.”
The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitias, 2:3-4
(A.D. 202)

“Make friends quickly with your accuser while you are going with him
to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to
the guard, and you be put in prison; truly I say to you, you will never get
out till you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5, 25-26

The concept of the particular judgment of sinners at the moment of death highlights the temporary consequences and penalties associated with sin. This idea can be likened to a figurative “debtor’s prison,” which serves as a metaphor for purgatory. In this context, Jesus refers to the “accuser,” which is understood to mean Satan. The Greek term for accuser, “antidikos” (ἀντίδικος), signifies “opponent,” and it appears in the First Letter of Peter (5:8-9), which warns, “Your adversary (ἀντίδικος) the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith.” This portrayal illustrates how Satan seeks to undermine our souls, further amplifying the torment by accusing us of our sins before God, as seen in biblical references such as Zechariah 3:1 and the Book of Job 1:6-12.

To restore the balance of justice between God and humanity, addressing the times when individuals succumbed to temptation is important. Personal atonement for sins is essential, which involves accepting and enduring any temporal consequences as a means of purifying one’s soul. Upon death, individuals are believed to confront their accuser, and the implication of Jesus’ teaching to make peace with this accuser before facing judgment emphasizes the necessity of settling any moral debts. By resisting temptation and renouncing the empty promises of evil in this life, individuals can ensure that there are no accusations against them when standing before God.

The experience of spending time in the debtor’s prison can be understood as a metaphor for the unresolved consequences of our actions. It highlights that while sins may be forgiven through repentance and acts of contrition, they still require temporal satisfaction on our part, often in the form of further acts of penance. This process is essential for removing the residual effects of sin from our souls. In essence, the debt incurred by sin can be alleviated only through the fulfillment of penance. Engaging in acts of penance counterbalances the vain satisfaction or pleasure derived from sinful behaviors, thereby completing the necessary path to redemption.

The teachings of Scripture indicate that Christ’s suffering and death do not exempt us from owing something to God for the offenses against His sovereign dignity ( See Matthew 5:17, Job 42:6, Lamentations 2:14, Ezekiel 18:21, Jeremiah 31:19, Romans 2:4, and Revelation 2:5). If repentance alone sufficed, there would be no further need for penance. While Christ made a profound eternal sacrifice for humanity’s sins, the individual believer must still engage in temporal restitution for their personal sins to fully access the merits of His sacrifice and achieve both temporal and eternal satisfaction.

This is from Jesus himself: “No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3); “Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of penance” (Mt 3:8). True repentance for the forgiveness of sin calls for fruit worthy of our act of contrition. For instance, our outward acts (alms-giving/fasting) must conform to our inner disposition or spiritual reality (charity/temperance) to offset our vices and sins (greed/gluttony), which have been forgiven by the act of repentance pending full temporal restitution. We are temporarily consigned to purgatory if we have any outstanding debts to pay when we die.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to
thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly
from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my
transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only,
have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art
justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.
Psalm 51, 1-4

In a theological context, it is understood that individuals owe a debt to God due to their offenses against Him, and they are encouraged to seek restitution to remedy this relationship. This idea of satisfaction involves repairing the harm done to God to regain His favor. A sincere act of reparation must include an element of sacrifice and personal pain, reflecting commutative justice principles, which demand that individuals render to others what is rightfully theirs. When people sin against God, they withhold what is due—specifically, their love and obedience. Simply apologizing is insufficient to restore balance in this relationship; a deeper expression of love and commitment is required. This can be achieved through accepting personal suffering or making sacrifices and offering these to God as a form of spiritual worship aimed at reparation. Such acts counterbalance the selfish pleasures that underlie sinful behavior, helping to restore equity in one’s relationship with the divine.

Pain and suffering can be viewed as lacking spiritual and redemptive value when not accompanied by genuine repentance. Repentance itself may be considered incomplete if the earthly consequences of sin remain unaddressed. A biblical example of this is found in the story of King David, who committed grave sins, including murder and adultery. After sincerely repenting with a contrite heart, God forgave David, making his sin offering valid. However, to fully address the severity of his transgressions and restore a sense of justice, God allowed the death of the child conceived during David’s adultery with Bathsheba and permitted the violation of David’s wives (2 Sam 12:9-10, 14, 18-19). These consequences of David’s sinful acts serve as retributive justice, illustrating the idea of ‘an eye for an eye.’ Only through this painful process could David’s relationship with God be healed entirely. He accepted his suffering as a necessary temporal punishment for his sins, facilitating the restoration of justice in his spiritual connection with God. This reconciliation was made possible through the anticipated merits of Christ.

Purgatory is often misunderstood as a concept originating solely from medieval Catholic theology; however, its roots are much older and more complex. Ancient Jewish texts, particularly those from the Talmud and other rabbinic writings, reference a transitional state after death where souls undergo purification. Similarly, early Christian writings from figures like the Apostle Paul and teachings attributed to Jesus imply the existence of a process of refinement for the faithful. For instance, in 1 Peter 3:19, Christ is mentioned preaching to spirits in prison, which many interpret as an acknowledgment of an intermediary state. Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions and manuscripts from the catacombs of Rome, reveal that early Christians believed in the importance of prayers and sacrifices for the deceased.

Writings from early Church Fathers, including St. Augustine and St. Gregory the Great, also emphasize the significance of intercessory prayers, suggesting that such acts can aid the souls of the departed. This belief underscores the idea that, while the deceased can no longer earn grace for themselves, the living can make sacrifices and offer prayers on their behalf, thereby assisting in their release from what is often metaphorically referred to as the “debtor’s prison.” This process of purification is seen as essential for achieving final redemption and entering the fullness of heaven, reflecting a profound reverence for the interconnectedness of the living and the departed within the spiritual journey (Rev 21:27).