Is eternal hell really a fair punishment for a lifetime of sin?

TL;DR:

While eternal hell might seem like an unfair punishment for a lifetime of sin, sin is rebellion against an infinite and holy God and requires a just, eternal response. Along with His justice, in His mercy, God offers forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

what does the bible say?

How can an eternity of punishment be just recompense for only one lifetime of human sin? Particularly, if a person was generally decent, how is it fair that living apart from God for only 70 to 100 years results in eternity in hell? Eternal hell being fair can be a difficult concept for our human understanding. Much of the issue comes from our understanding of sin. In our fallen state, we simply do not realize how heinous and offensive sin really is. God is a just and infinite God, and our sin is rebellion against Him. In His justice, He must punish what is destructive and offensive. While it might seem unfair to suffer eternally for a human lifetime of sin, we must remember that sin is committed against an infinitely holy and eternal God. The severity of the punishment corresponds to the magnitude of the One offended. Just as breaking a law against a king carries a greater consequence than breaking a rule against a peer, sin against God—no matter how "small" it may seem to us—requires a just response from His perfect nature. Additionally, our rejection of God continues into eternity in hell; it is not as though the rebellion ceases after death. God, being just, must hold us accountable for the full extent of our sin. Yet, in His mercy and love, He provided a way of escape through Jesus Christ. His sacrifice fully satisfied God's justice, offering us forgiveness and eternal life if we choose to accept it (Romans 6:23; John 3:16).

from the old testament

Sin must be punished. Sin is not simply bad behavior but rebellion against God (Psalm 51:4).
Even what we consider to be righteous by human standards fails in comparison to God's righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 says, "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
Consider that God has an infinite nature (Psalm 90:2). Any offence committed against Him, then, is an infinite offence. Thus, each offence is worthy of an infinite punishment—an eternity in hell.

from the new testament

The Bible undeniably paints a picture of hell as being eternal (Matthew 25:46).
God is absolutely just (Deuteronomy 32:4). He is the Creator of the world, and He is perfect (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 5:48).
Romans 3 makes it clear that no human being is without sin. Every person is a sinner against the almighty God of the universe. He is, in essence, the victim of our crimes. In human justice systems, the level, or severity, of punishment is sometimes affected by the status of the victim. Say, for instance, that you lie to a teacher. There is a certain level of punishment for that. However, if you lie to a judge, the punishment is more severe. If you lie to Congress, the punishment is even harsher. Our crimes are against God (Romans 6:23), who is over all, requiring the harshest punishment.

implications for today

God, in His great mercy, permits us life on this earth. He gives us an opportunity to recognize our sin and receive salvation in Jesus. Second Peter 3:9 tells us, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." By His own provision, God offers us eternity with Him if we will only set aside our own will for His will. We need not spend eternity in hell apart from Him if we choose to follow Him today. This is truly unfair. God did nothing wrong, yet He suffered in our place, so we could be made right with Him. We can receive full forgiveness of our sins and avoid the consequence of eternal separation from Him. This is the good news of the gospel! Eternity can be spent in communion with God when we repent from our sin, accept Jesus as Savior, and begin living with a desire to please Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16, 18, 36). Ultimately, it is the choice of each person to spend eternity in hell away from God, or in heaven with Him. Which will you choose?

understand

Offenses against an infinite, holy God warrant eternal punishment.
While eternal hell seems unfair, God is perfectly just and punishes rebellion against Him.
Through Jesus, God provides a way to escape eternal punishment and receive eternal life.

reflect

What concerns do you have, or have you heard, regarding eternal hell being a fair punishment for a lifetime of sin?
How does understanding sin as rebellion against an infinite God change your perspective on its severity?
How have you experienced God’s mercy and patience in your life, even though you fall short of His holiness?

engage

Why is it important to recognize the infinite nature of God when considering the fairness of eternal punishment?
How does Jesus’s sacrifice demonstrate both God’s justice and mercy in addressing sin?
How can we help others understand the seriousness of sin and the hope of salvation through Jesus?