Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:46

"And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life." — Matthew 25:46 (ASV)

And these, and so on. This refers to these persons. Many, holding the doctrine of universal salvation, have contended that God would punish sin only. Christ says that those on his left hand will go away—not sins, but sinners. Besides, sin, as an abstract thing, cannot be punished. It is nothing but the acts of transgressors; and if it is to be addressed at all, it must be by punishing the offenders.

Into everlasting punishment. The original word translated here as punishment means torment or suffering inflicted for a crime. The noun is used in only one other place in the New Testament, 1 John 4:18: Fear hath torment. The verb from which this noun is derived is used twice, in Acts 4:21 and 2 Peter 2:9. In all these places, it denotes anguish, suffering, or punishment. It does not mean simply a state or condition, but absolute, positive suffering. If this word does not teach it, no word could express the idea that the wicked would suffer.

It has been contended that the sufferings of the wicked would not be eternal, or without end. It is not the purpose of these Notes to enter into debates of that kind further than to establish the meaning of words. Regarding the meaning of the word everlasting in this place, the following is to be observed:

1. The literal meaning of the word expresses absolute eternity—always being (Matthew 18:8; Matthew 19:16; Mark 3:29; Romans 2:7; Hebrews 5:9).
2. The obvious, plain interpretation of the word demands this meaning.
3. Admitting that it was the Savior's design ever to teach his doctrine, this would be the very word to express it; and if this word does not teach it, the doctrine could not be taught.
4. It is not taught in any plainer manner in any confession of faith on the globe; and if this word may be explained away, then all those confessions may also be explained away.
5. Our Savior knew that this would be so understood by nine-tenths of the world; and if he did not mean to teach it, he has knowingly led them into error, and his honesty cannot be vindicated.
6. He knew that the doctrine was calculated to produce fear and terror; and if he was benevolent, his conduct cannot be vindicated in exciting unnecessary fears.
7. That the word used here is the same in the original as that used to express the eternal life of the righteous; if one can be proved to be limited in duration, the other can by the same arguments. The proof that the righteous will be happy forever is precisely the same, and no other than that the wicked will be miserable forever.
8. It is confirmed by many other passages of Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Luke 16:26; Revelation 14:11; Psalms 9:17; Isaiah 33:14; Mark 16:16; John 3:36.

Life eternal. Man, by sin, has plunged himself into death—temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Christ, by coming and dying, has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). Life is the opposite of death. It denotes, here, freedom from death, and positive holiness and happiness forever.