Philippians 2:10-11

[jmjconder]

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

**What does “under the earth” refer to?

To me - it must mean that everyone who has died still "confesses that “Jesus Christ is Lord” - even those who will not be in the beatific vision.

If this is the case - then this would only add to the pain and suffering one outside of eternal bliss - would experience. Please clarify this for me. Blessings.**

 

[Cryptic1]

Christians believe that hell exists deep within the earth. The bible shows where Jesus was approached by the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:12), a man who was possessed by unclean spirits. It was the spirits (devils) who recognized Jesus and his authority and who, when commanded to depart from the man, begged to enter into swine feeding on a hillside instead. “Send us into the swine”, they pleaded and Jesus complied with their request. Even though many people fail to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, 2000 years ago, the demons or uncleans spirits who possessed the man from Gerasene were well aware of Jesus standing as the Son of God. From the beginning of time til today, every knee will and must bow to the holy name of Jesus–those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth–for Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

 

[brgregmack]

If I remember correctly, St. Francis de Sales uses this verse to defend purgatory, his reasoning being that those in hell don’t praise God. Since “under the earth” is portrayed as distinct from heaven, it must be purgatory.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Christians believe that hell exists deep within the earth. The bible shows where Jesus was approached by the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:12), a man who was possessed by unclean spirits. It was the spirits (devils) who recognized Jesus and his authority and who, when commanded to depart from the man, begged to enter into swine feeding on a hillside instead. “Send us into the swine”, they pleaded and Jesus complied with their request. Even though many people fail to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, 2000 years ago, the demons or uncleans spirits who possessed the man from Gerasene were well aware of Jesus standing as the Son of God. From the beginning of time til today, every knee will and must bow to the holy name of Jesus–those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth–for Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

Careful, Cryptic. Catholics do not claim to know the physical location of hell, or even if it has a physical location. And we are the first, the original Christians. Protestants showed up 16 centuries later.

Compare Philippians 2:10-11 to Isaiah 45:23. Philippians 2:5-11 is a poetic hymn and probably does not refer to a geographic location, but means that “every knee should bow” of all people everywhere. “Under the earth” could mean anywhere in the universe. That is, if hell has a “where.” Or hell (and heaven and purgatory) could be a state of being.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2HEAVN.HTM

 

[E_Thrower_II]

**What does “under the earth” refer to?

To me - it must mean that everyone who has died still "confesses that “Jesus Christ is Lord” - even those who will not be in the beatific vision.

If this is the case - then this would only add to the pain and suffering one outside of eternal bliss - would experience. Please clarify this for me. Blessings.**

Is this relevant?

When Jesus died he descended into the lower parts of the earth and preached to those that were captive.
Eph. 4:9-10
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)