Where is Purgatory Mentioned in the Bible? (Special Podcast Highlight)

Patrick Madrid explained why Purgatory is actually a very biblical doctrine, even though the word itself isn’t spelled out in Scripture (kind of like the word "Trinity"... but we all believe in that, right?).

 

Step 1: Bible Alone? Not So Fast! 

 

Patrick started by calling out the big assumption that everything has to be proven from the Bible alone (Sola Scriptura). 
That idea is actually unbiblical... and even anti-biblical! 

 

🔹 2 Thessalonians 2:15: St. Paul says to hold fast to both written and oral tradition.

🔹 The Bible itself doesn’t say “go by the Bible alone” (kind of a problem for that argument, huh?).

🔹 Even the list of books in the Bible (the Canon) comes from Church tradition, not from the Bible itself! So, if you believe in the Bible… well, you’re already trusting the Church.

 

Now that we’ve settled that, let’s talk Purgatory! 

 

Step 2: Purgatory in the Bible? Yup. Right Here. 

 

Patrick points straight to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15: which, when you really read it, sounds exactly like what Catholics describe as Purgatory:

 

After death, your works will be tested by fire.

Some people will suffer loss but will still be saved... but only as through fire.

This happens to those who die in God’s grace but still have some 'wood, hay, and straw' (aka, imperfections) that need to be burned away before they enter heaven.

 

Sounds a lot like purification after death, doesn’t it? That’s Purgatory!

 

Step 3: What About Judgment? 

 

Some people think we’re only judged at the Second Coming. Nope. The Bible teaches two judgments:

Particular Judgment: (Hebrews 9:27): Right after death, you’re judged. Heaven or hell? That’s decided immediately. If you’re saved but still need purification, that’s Purgatory.

Final Judgment: At the end of time, everyone gets the final big picture judgment.

 

Step 4: If I Go to Confession, Do I Still Go to Purgatory? 

 

Hopefully not! But maybe, yes. Why? Because…

 

Confession removes the eternal penalty of sin (hell).

But it doesn’t necessarily remove the effects of sin.

 

Example: If you rob a bank and later repent, God forgives you. But guess what? You still gotta return the money and maybe serve time in jail. Same with sin... it leaves effects on the soul that need to be purified.

 

That’s why penance, fasting, and acts of charity are so important! They help purify us now, so we need less purgation later. 

 

Final Thoughts: Purgatory = God’s Mercy 

 

Purgatory isn’t a “second chance”; it’s God’s final cleanup crew to get us spotless before we enter heaven (Revelation 21:27: "nothing unclean shall enter it").

 

Even St. Augustine and the Early Church Fathers pointed to 1 Corinthians 3 when talking about Purgatory! So, next time someone says, “Purgatory isn’t in the Bible!”: just smile and say, “Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3 together, shall we?” 

 

If you die in God’s grace but aren’t perfect yet, God finishes the job before you enter heaven. That’s Purgatory, and it’s straight from the Bible.