What is Tartarus?

TL;DR:

Tartarus is a place synonymous with hell. Tartarus serves as a warning against false teachers and deception.

According to ancient Greek mythology, Tartarus was a low place, possibly underground, of torturous existence where the wicked are sent to suffer. Tartarus was a place for horrible monsters and the vilest criminals. Tartarus is mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4 as the place where God cast angels who sinned, translating to "hell" in this context. It serves as a warning against false teaching and deception, emphasizing the consequences of leading others astray. Tartarus symbolizes the punishment for disobedience and the seriousness of upholding sound doctrine.

from the old testament

Sinning angels are mentioned in Genesis 6:1–4 where they were called "sons of God" and they took advantage of human women and their offspring.

from the new testament

The Greek word Tartarus is used once in Scripture, in 2 Peter 2:4: "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment." The word "hell" here is translated from the word Tartarus. When Peter mentioned Tartarus, he was condemning false teachers who intentionally impart heresy into the church. He provides several historical references of God's actions and says that "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment" (2 Peter 2:9). God does not take lightly those who would intentionally lead His children astray (Matthew 18:6).
Evidently the fallen angels mentioned in Genesis 6:1–4 are in Tartarus, which is what it seems other demons feared in Luke 8:31.
Jude 1:6 describes the disobedient angels: "And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day."
The "spirits in prison" to whom Jesus proclaimed in 1 Peter 3:19–20 also appear to be these fallen angels.

implications for today

One application we can glean from Tartarus is the solemn warning against false teaching and deception. Just as God cast the sinning angels into Tartarus for their disobedience, there's a parallel drawn to false teachers who lead others astray with their heresies. This teaches us the importance of vigilance against false doctrines and those who would distort the truth. We're reminded to uphold sound doctrine, staying rooted in the truth of God's Word, and to exercise discernment to avoid being misled. The mention of Tartarus serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of leading others away from God's truth, emphasizing the seriousness of teaching and adhering to the genuine message of Scripture.

understand

Tartarus is mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4 as the place where God cast angels who sinned, condemning them to chains of gloomy darkness until the judgment.
Jude 1:6 describes Tartarus as the place where disobedient angels, referred to as "sons of God" in Genesis 6, are kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment day.
Tartarus serves as a symbol of God's punishment for disobedience and rebellion.

reflect

How does the concept of Tartarus influence your understanding of God's judgment and punishment?
How do the implications of Tartarus shape your approach to discerning truth and guarding against false teaching?
Do you ever feel a tension between the idea of God's mercy and His judgment as portrayed through the concept of Tartarus? How do you reconcile these?

engage

What parallels do you see between the punishment of the sinning angels in Tartarus and the consequences for false teachers today?
How can the concept of Tartarus influence our understanding of accountability and responsibility, both for spiritual leaders and individuals?
In what ways can we apply the warning of Tartarus in our modern context to safeguard against false teachings and deception within the Church and society?