Contradiction with 1 John 4:8
Explains that God is love, which seems contradictory to casting people into a furnace of fire.
1 John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Contradiction with Psalm 103:8
Describes God as merciful and gracious, slow to anger, which contrasts with the depiction of judgment in Matthew 13:42.
Psalm 103:8: The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [plentious...: Heb. great in mercy]
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:23
Asks if God has any pleasure in the death of the wicked, advocating for repentance, which seems at odds with the punishment described in Matthew 13:42.
Ezekiel 18:23: Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
States God is not willing that any should perish, contrasting with the destruction depicted in Matthew 13:42.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Contradiction with Romans 5:8
Demonstrates God's love for us even as sinners, potentially conflicting with the idea of casting individuals into fire.
Romans 5:8: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Contradiction with James 2:13
Suggests that mercy triumphs over judgment, in contrast to the judgment in Matthew 13:42.
James 2:13: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. [rejoiceth: or, glorieth]
Contradiction with John 12:47
Jesus states He came not to judge the world but to save it, which seems opposed to the concept of condemnation in Matthew 13:42.
John 12:47: And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Contradiction with Lamentations 3:31-32
Emphasizes God's compassion and unwillingness to reject forever, contradicting the permanent picture in Matthew 13:42.
Lamentations 3:31-32: For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
Paradox #1
Some people see a moral conflict in the concept of eternal punishment found in that verse. They question how a loving and forgiving God could inflict such severe and endless suffering. This seems to contradict the idea of unconditional love and mercy.