What Does the Bible Say About Purgatory?

Purgatory is part of the Traditional church's understanding of the afterlife. People who weren't bad enough to go to hell, but not good enough to go to heaven are sent to purgatory. While there, the people must work to pay off their sins that weren't forgiven before.
Not all Christians believe that there is a third place existing along with heaven and hell. It is only in the Traditional Churches that the concept of purgatory exists. The Catholic Bible includes books that are not found in the Protestant Bible. Therefore there is contradiction beyond interpretation as to the existence of purgatory.

Features

People sent to purgatory spend time atoning for the sins they were not forgiven of while alive. What it looks like is not known as with heaven and hell. But Phillipians 2:10 says "And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all things in heaven, on earth and in the world below will fall on their knees". The "world below" is interpreted as purgatory. However during the time Philippians was written, there was folklore that talked about the dead existing in a dark place beneath the ground.

History

The name "purgatory" comes from the twelfth century French Medieval Latin "purgatorium" which comes from the Latin word "pugare." The word "pugare means "to purify", hence it is a place where someone goes to become fully sinless.

Misconceptions

Differences in translation change the potential meaning for stating the existence of purgatory. In 2nd Timothy 1:16 it says Paul asks for mercy for his dead friend Onesiphorus. It is interpreted that Onesiphorus is in purgatory because people in heaven and hell either don't need mercy anymore or don't have the right. However, the Today's English Version says Paul asks for mercy for Onesiphorus's family. And the Living Bible Paraphrased says, "May the Lord bless Onesiphorus and all his family..."

Considerations

Different councils have convened throughout history to decide what to put in the Bible. The First and Second Maccabees are not books included in the Protestant Bible. Chapter 12 of Second Maccabees, verses 43-45 is interpreted as delineating that prayers for the dead help them to become purified enough to leave purgatory. Here is what the King James Version says in Second Maccabees 12:43-45:
"And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection.
"For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
"And also in that he perceived that there was great favor laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin."
Another book not used in the Protestant Bible is the Book of Baruch. In chapter Three Baruch prays to God, asking that He listen to Israel's dead's prayers.

Significance

Jesus spoke about heaven and hell, but never mentioned purgatory by name. The verses interpreted to mean purgatory don't' state directly that purgatory exists.
Second Corinthians 5:8 states, "We are confident, yes well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (Gideon's International) This is interpreted as meaning that when someone dies, they do not go to purgatory, but to heaven, where God is.

Resources

• Catholic Answers