The concept of divine retribution for iniquity is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, underscoring the holiness and justice of God. Iniquity, often synonymous with sin or wickedness, refers to moral perversity and a deviation from God's righteous standards. The punishment of the wicked is portrayed as a necessary response to uphold divine justice and maintain the moral order established by God.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the punishment of the wicked due to their iniquity. In Genesis 6:5-7, the Lord observes the great wickedness of humanity, leading to the decision to bring about the flood: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'"

The prophets also speak extensively about the consequences of iniquity. In Isaiah 13:11, God declares, "I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless." This passage highlights the certainty of divine judgment against those who persist in their wickedness.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the ultimate judgment that awaits the wicked. In Romans 1:18, the Apostle Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This passage underscores the ongoing revelation of God's wrath against iniquity.

Jesus Himself speaks of the final judgment in Matthew 13:41-42: "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Here, the imagery of a fiery furnace conveys the severity of the punishment awaiting those who engage in iniquity.

The Nature of Divine Punishment

The punishment of the wicked is depicted as both temporal and eternal. Temporal punishments serve as immediate consequences of iniquity, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25) and the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12). These events serve as warnings and calls to repentance.

Eternal punishment is described in passages such as Revelation 20:15, where it is written, "And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This eternal separation from God is the ultimate consequence of unrepentant iniquity.

The Call to Repentance

While the Bible clearly outlines the punishment for iniquity, it also extends a call to repentance. Ezekiel 18:30-32 emphasizes God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways: "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!"

The New Testament echoes this call, with 2 Peter 3:9 stating, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance."

In summary, the punishment of the wicked on account of their iniquity is a fundamental aspect of biblical teaching, reflecting God's justice and holiness. The Scriptures consistently warn of the consequences of sin while offering the hope of redemption through repentance and faith.Jeremiah 36:31
And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring on them, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they listened not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 3:17-18
Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 18:4,13,20
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 3:2
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John Chapter xv. 20, 21
... wicked act so on the same account as that ... wicked themselves; and so also the wicked
may be ... and for the righteousness which is exercised in their punishment. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxviii john chapter xv.htm

Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ...
... this world, though in eternity they quite escape punishment. ... earthly and temporal
things on account of which ... hold it cheap, that the wicked, being admonished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the reasons for.htm

Psalm CI.
... be feared by the wicked on account of punishment, to be ... man departed from me," that
is, when the wicked man was ... hath its banquets: for it was on account of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

Whether Every Punishment is Inflicted for a Sin?
... and holdest Thy peace, when the wicked man oppresseth ... of nature which is itself the
punishment of original sin ... but they are of small account: whereas spiritual ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every punishment is inflicted.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... can so much as devise a punishment that they ... are all provoked against them by those
their wicked actions, whence ... to run any hazard whatsoever on that account. ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned ...
... of reason, were commanded to be slain on account of the ... in temporal matters together
with the wicked, for not ... horror of sin, seeing that the punishment of one ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vengeance should be taken.htm

History and Doctrines of Heresies.
... Will not He inflict severer punishment on those that blaspheme ... For on this account
the devil himself is very angry at ... made him the minister of his wicked design ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii history and doctrines of.htm

Psalm CIX.
... is earnestly sought by the best men on its own account, without any ... belongeth to
few to distinguish, in what way the punishment of the wicked pleaseth the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cix.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... but in the general diffusion of punishment on the ... generation helped to swell the
account, till they ... divine judgments executed on other wicked communities, have ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... professed Christians, of the Danger and Eternal Punishment of Sin. ... That wicked Men
may be led to abuse them to ... our Gospel be ineffectual on this Account, it is ...
/.../sermon iv luke x the.htm

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