There are many references in the Bible to gnashing of teeth. In the modern day, we don’t often talk about people gnashing their teeth. In fact, it’s not a common saying by any means. However, in the New Testament, there are many references to the phrase “gnashing of teeth.” Since this phrase is used and talked about in the Bible, what does it mean, and why does the Bible talk about it?
Gnashing of Teeth
The Lord uses the phrase “gnashing of teeth” many times throughout His earthly ministry. Jesus told His followers, “They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42).
The surrounding context of this passage is that it is part of Jesus’ parable of the weeds. The Lord is talking about how the weeds will be pulled out from among the righteous and thrown into the blazing furnace.
This is not the only time the Lord talks about gnashing of teeth as he also uses this phrase in Matthew 8:12, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30, and Luke 13:28. In each of these Bible verses, gnashing of teeth is never used in a positive sense.
It is always in reference to severe pain, agony, and anguish. Gnashing of teeth is similar to grinding your teeth together when you are angry or in pain. Most of us have experienced grinding of teeth at one time in our life, and it is normally the result of intense distress.
Despite the fact that we have experienced grinding of our teeth, it is nothing compared to the gnashing of teeth that will be experienced by those who are thrown out of the Lord’s presence. Being in hell or the lake of fire will be a terrible experience, with the latter extending throughout eternity.
This fact needs to motivate us to share the gospel and to help individuals know the gospel. Only unbelievers will experience gnashing of teeth because they will be the individuals who are experiencing this pain since they chose to reject Christ.
God created us with free will, and with this free will, we have to make the decision for ourselves if we are going to accept Jesus and place faith in Him or not.
For those who accept Jesus and place faith in Him, they will not have to experience eternal separation from Him in hell and in the lake of fire. Believers are promised a new life in the New Heaven and New Earth, where there will be no more crying, pain, or death (Revelation 21:4).
If you have not placed faith in Jesus and continue to reject Him, you will be one of these individuals who will be gnashing their teeth in pain. The good news is that you don’t have to seal your fate today. Instead, look more into Jesus, study the Bible on your own, and decide for yourself if you believe.
In the same way, if your loved one has not placed faith in Jesus and their ultimate end is found in separation from God and in a state of gnashing of teeth, pray for them and continue to share the gospel with them in word and actions.
You cannot make them believe in Jesus, but you can continue to be an ambassador for Him and share the love of Jesus in your actions.
It is also important to share the opposite end of the spectrum if someone chooses not to believe in Jesus. This might cause them to think more about the issue and come to a knowledge of what happens after you die if you don’t place faith in Jesus.
Why Does the Bible Talk about the Gnashing of Teeth?
The Bible ultimately talks about the gnashing of teeth because it gives us a vivid description of what happens to those who continue to reject Christ and those who are permanently shut out of the Kingdom because of their unbelief.
Gnashing of teeth is a strong phrase because it shows the severity of the pain unbelievers will experience. Within the statement made by the Lord in Matthew 25:30, He says gnashing of teeth will be accompanied by weeping. This can give us further insight into the pain that will be occurring in the hearts of unbelievers.
Being separated from God and being shut out of God’s Eternal Kingdom is the worst punishment to befall an individual. God doesn’t cause this to happen to people; rather, they freely choose to reject Him.
Nobody is sent to hell, the lake of fire, and experiences eternal separation from Him because of the bad things they do. Instead, individuals are sentenced to eternal separation from God in hell and the lake of fire because they chose to reject Christ.
All people sin, and we all deserve punishment (Romans 3:23). However, the only sin that can cause someone to go to hell and eventually the lake of fire is because they failed to place faith in Jesus.
Throughout the rest of eternity, those who reject Christ will be gnashing their teeth in pain, anger, and agony. This very truth goes against the false belief that is permeated throughout culture — that when you die, everything goes dark, and you no longer exist.
This comes from an atheistic worldview and directly goes against Scripture. As the Bible tells us, everyone who fails to place faith in Christ will experience eternal pain, which includes gnashing of teeth.
Psalm 112:10 also refers to the gnashing of teeth in reference to the wicked, “The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.” Similar to Jesus’ discourse on weeping while gnashing of teeth is occurring, Psalm 112:10 tells us the wicked gnash their teeth and waste away.
This further tells us about the enduring pain and misery that is associated with the gnashing of teeth. The Bible discusses in great detail the gnashing of teeth because readers need to be aware of the pain that accompanies the wicked and those who reject Christ.
There is no happiness, joy, or love outside of Jesus. Only He can provide the lasting love your heart desires. The wicked and those who reject Christ will only face an end filled with pain and misery. This is not a good fate, but it doesn’t have to be the fate of everyone.
All people have the chance to place faith in Jesus every day while they are alive. Once a person passes away, they can no longer place faith in Christ; however, everyone is given multiple chances to come to know the Lord. God loves all people, and He desires for all of them to come to know Him.
What Does This Mean?
He doesn’t desire anyone to experience eternal separation from Him. We are all His creation, which means He loves us dearly. There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). However, the only thing that can separate us from Him is something God didn’t create — sin.
If an individual fails to place faith in Him, their sins are not forgiven, and the greatest mistake of rejecting Jesus causes them to be separated from God forever, in a state of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Bible tells us about the gnashing of teeth to warn us of what will happen if we choose to reject Christ and not place faith in Him.
For further reading:
What Did Jesus Say about Hell?
What Does Brimstone in the Bible Signify?
Does the Bible Say There Are Levels of Hell?
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