When the Church tells you that there is a purgatory before heaven, and the Bible says nothing of the sort, in whom do you put your trust?

“But the Bible Doesn’t Mention Purgatory…” — A Catholic Response to a Common Challenge

This post is part of an 18-question series titled “In Whom Do You Put Your Trust?” — inspired by a conversation I had with a fundamentalist Christian back in 1998. These were tough questions that challenged me to think deeply about my Catholic faith.

The series began with a question about the Sacraments, and today we’re tackling the third question:

“When the Church tells you that there is a purgatory before heaven, and the Bible says nothing of the sort, in whom do you put your trust?”

As a cradle Catholic, I had grown up accepting the teachings of the Church — Mass on Sundays, the sacraments, the saints, and yes, the idea of Purgatory. But I had never been asked to defend that belief, especially from Scripture. That question stayed with me, and over time, it led me to dig deeper into what the Church teaches and why.

If you’ve ever been asked a similar question — or even asked it yourself — this post is for you.

What Is Purgatory, Really?

Let’s start with what the Church actually teaches. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030)

Purgatory is not a second chance or a middle ground between heaven and hell. It’s a temporary state of purification for souls who are saved but still need to be cleansed of the lingering effects of sin before entering the full presence of God.

But Is It in the Bible?

The word “Purgatory” doesn’t appear in the Bible — just like the words “Trinity” or “Incarnation” don’t. But the concept is there, woven through Scripture and clarified by centuries of Church teaching and reflection.

Let’s look at four key passages that support the doctrine of Purgatory.

1. 2 Maccabees 12:45–46 — Prayers for the Dead

“But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.”

This passage describes Judas Maccabeus offering prayers and sacrifices for fallen soldiers who had died in battle. The implication is clear: prayers for the dead can help them — but only if they are not in hell (where prayer is of no use) or already in heaven (where they need no help). This suggests a third state — a place or process of purification.

But Wait — Isn’t Maccabees Not in the Protestant Bible?

Correct. 2 Maccabees is part of the Catholic Bible but not found in most Protestant Bibles. Here’s why:

• The books of Maccabees are part of the Deuterocanonical books, which were included in the Septuagint — the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures widely used in Jesus’ time.
• The early Church accepted these books as Scripture. In fact, the Council of Rome (382 AD) and later the Council of Trent (1546) affirmed their canonical status.
• During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and other reformers removed these books, partly because they supported doctrines like Purgatory and prayers for the dead.

So while Protestants may not accept Maccabees, Catholics do — and have for centuries.

2. 1 Corinthians 3:15 — Saved, But Through Fire

“If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

Here, St. Paul is talking about how our works will be tested by fire on the Day of Judgment. Some works will endure; others will be burned away. But notice: the person is still saved, even though they suffer loss and pass “through fire.”

This is not hell — because the person is saved. It’s not heaven — because there’s suffering and purification. Again, we see a third state that aligns with the Church’s teaching on Purgatory.

3. Matthew 12:32 — Forgiveness in the Age to Come

“Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

This verse is often overlooked, but it’s incredibly important. Jesus is speaking about the unforgivable sin — blasphemy against the Holy Spirit — and He says it won’t be forgiven “in this age or in the age to come.”

Now, think about that. If some sins cannot be forgiven in the age to come, doesn’t that imply that some sins can?

This was exactly how many early Church Fathers understood the passage. St. Augustine, for example, wrote:

“It would not have been said, ‘neither in this world, nor in the world to come,’ unless there were some sins that will be forgiven in the world to come.”

This interpretation supports the idea that after death, there may still be a process of forgiveness and purification — not for mortal sins that separate us from God, but for lesser sins or the lingering effects of sin. That’s the heart of what Purgatory is: a merciful opportunity for the soul to be made fully clean before entering the presence of God.

4. Matthew 5:25–26 — Paying the Last Penny

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

On the surface, this sounds like practical advice about resolving disputes. But the Church Fathers — including Origen, St. Cyprian, and St. Ambrose — saw a deeper, spiritual meaning.

In this interpretation:

• The adversary is your conscience or the moral law.
• The judge is God.
• The prison is a metaphor for Purgatory.
• And “paying the last penny” refers to the complete purification of the soul before entering heaven.

This aligns with the idea that God’s justice requires restitution, even after forgiveness. If we die in God’s grace but still owe a “debt” — the temporal consequences of sin — we must “pay the last penny” before entering eternal joy.

So, Who Do We Trust?

Let’s return to the original question:

“When the Church tells you that there is a purgatory before heaven, and the Bible says nothing of the sort, in whom do you put your trust?”

The answer is: we trust both.

As Catholics, we don’t believe in Sola Scriptura — the idea that the Bible alone is the sole authority. We believe in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium (the Church’s teaching authority), all working together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible does support the concept of Purgatory — not with a single proof-text, but through a constellation of verses that, when interpreted through the lens of Tradition, paint a coherent picture of post-death purification.

Why This Matters for Cradle Catholics

If you were raised Catholic, you may have accepted the idea of Purgatory without ever questioning it. But when someone challenges you — especially with a “Bible-only” mindset — it can shake your confidence.

That’s why it’s so important to know not just what we believe, but why we believe it.

Purgatory isn’t a medieval invention. It’s a doctrine rooted in Scripture, affirmed by the early Church, and grounded in the logic of God’s mercy and justice. It’s not a punishment — it’s a gift. A final cleansing, a preparation for the Beatific Vision, where nothing unclean can enter (Revelation 21:27).

Purgatory reminds us that God is both just and merciful. He doesn’t abandon us at the moment of death. He continues to purify, heal, and prepare us for eternal life with Him.

So the next time someone asks you, “Where is Purgatory in the Bible?” — you’ll know where to look. And more importantly, you’ll know that your trust in the Church is not misplaced. It’s rooted in Scripture, history, and the enduring wisdom of the Body of Christ.

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