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It is written:
Matthew 8:12-But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
One of the teachings of Jesus is that those in Hell will be characterized by “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” That phrase “gnashing of teeth” is very interesting. While many believe that its’ primary meaning is that of a person gritting his teeth in pain, we see from the rest of the Bible that “gnashing of teeth” represents a person who is furious and continually refuses to repent of wrongdoing.
For example:
Acts 7:54-When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
The people here in Acts were furious at the preaching of Stephen. Thus the phrase “gnashed at him with their teeth” tells us that they directed their anger towards the Gospel preacher, culminating in their stoning him to death (Acts 7:55-60). We see this same definition throughout the Old Testament and the apocryphal writings.
“F∫w*± impf. ρυν; fut. 3 sg. ρει; 1 aor. 3 sg. ρυεν LXXto grind one’s teeth, gnash, a sign of violent rage (Theodor. Prodr. 5, 49 H.) τς 2δBντας φ5 α6τBν they gnashed their teeth against him Ac 7:54 (cp. Lex. Vind. p. 34, 5 ρει τ. 2δBντας 7νθρωφς, ρυ8ται δ9 λων=humans gnash their teeth, lions roar; Job 16:9; Ps 34:16; 36:12; SibOr 2, 203; Hippocr., 8 p. 16 [Mul. 1, 2], Epid. 5, 86 and other medical wr. [Hobart 208] of chattering of the teeth in chills and fevers). The expression may also be intended as metaph. become enraged (so NRSV with others, unless the translators are thinking in terms of functional equivalence).—Frisk. ”. (Walter BauerA Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 184 (Kindle Edition): Chicago, IL: University Of Chicago Press)
Again:
“2. In the LXX brychō occurs in poetic literature, where the gnashing of the teeth is a demonstration of anger (Job 16: 9; Ps. 35: 16; 37: 12; 112: 10) or perhaps of mocking (Lam. 2: 16). brygmos in Prov. 19: 12 denotes the wrath of a king. In Sir. 51: 3 the noun means biting, for the writer gives thanks to God for deliverance from “grinding teeth about to devour me.” NT In the NT brychō is used only once (Acts 7: 54), where it describes the angry reaction of those listening to Stephen’s speech.” (Verlyn D. Verbrugge. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: Abridged Edition, 98 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan)
This tells us that Hell is inhabited by people who refuse to repent of their wickedness. I am comforted here by the knowledge that Hell is not a place where God sends people just because they rejected Him in life. Instead, it appears that Hell is populated by those who continue to be in open rebellion against Him.
As one theologian points out:
“Second, there is no hint in the Bible that there is any repentance in hell. Like the rich man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16: 19–31), there may be a cry for relief, or even a plea that the surviving brothers be warned; but there is no hint of repentance. Indeed, there is one passage that suggests the opposite. In the final chapter of the Bible, the interpreting angel says to John, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let those who do wrong continue to do wrong; let those who are vile continue to be vile; let those who do right continue to do right; and let those who are holy continue to be holy” (Rev. 22: 10–11). In a sense, this pronouncement brings the judgment forward: those who will be found vile at the end may just as well continue to be vile now, for their time of mercy has passed. But the assumption, I think, is that just as those who are declared holy at the end, doubtless owing to the gospel of Jesus Christ, continue in holiness, indeed in the very consummation of holiness, so also those who are declared vile at the end, doubtless owing to their own rebellion and hardness of heart, continue in all that is vile, indeed in the very consummation of what is vile. Perhaps, then, we should think of hell as a place where people continue to rebel, continue to insist on their own way, continue societal structures of prejudice and hate, continue to defy the living God. And as they continue to defy God, so he continues to punish them. And the cycle goes on and on and on.” (D A Carson, How long, O Lord?, 90-91 (Kindle Edition): Nottingham, England: InterVarsity Press)
I am not certain if everyone in Hell will continue to refuse to repent throughout eternity. There are some indications in the Bible that God designed Hell to be a place where He tries to bring even the most wicked to repentance (cf. Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-49), and there are some indications that some in that realm will repent one day (Ezekiel 16:54-55; Philippians 2:9-11). However, a person may continue to reject God’s grace there just as easily as here on Earth. Wisdom calls us to seek the Lord now.
Isaiah 55:6-7-Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Proverbs 27:1-Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Corinthians 6:2-For He says: “IN AN ACCEPTABLE TIME I HAVE HEARD YOU, AND IN THE DAY OF SALVATION I HAVE HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Why not humble yourself before the Lord today (Acts 2:37-47)?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.