What Is Conditional Immortality?
Conditional immortality teaches that human beings are not inherently immortal. Immortality is the gift God grants only to those who belong to Christ, while the wicked ultimately perish in the second death. This framework is often associated with annihilationism, which argues that the final punishment for the wicked is destruction rather than eternal conscious torment.
However, conditional immortality is sometimes used in ways that depart from biblical teaching. There is a version of conditional immortality—held in some fringe theological circles—that claims the wicked simply “blink out” of existence, escaping any real experience of divine judgment. That view is unbiblical, because Scripture consistently teaches both penalty and punishment for the wicked (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9). For this reason, many prefer the term annihilationism since it preserves the biblical emphasis on real divine judgment culminating in final destruction rather than an instantaneous disappearance.
This article explores what conditional immortality means, how it differs from unorthodox distortions, and how it compares to other Christian views of final judgment.
1. Defining Conditional Immortality
Conditional immortality is the belief that immortality is not inherent to the human soul but is granted by God as part of salvation. This view is anchored in several biblical patterns.
A. Immortality is a gift, not an intrinsic human property
Scripture presents immortality as something believers receive, not something they naturally possess.
Immortality is “sought for” and “given” by God (Romans 2:7).
Believers “put on immortality” at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53–54).
Eternal life is “the gift of God” (Romans 6:23).
Conditional immortality does not deny the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (John 5:28–29). Instead, it claims that only the righteous enter everlasting life, while the wicked ultimately meet their end.
B. The wicked ultimately die in the second death
Scripture describes the final judgment of the lost as “the second death” (Revelation 20:14). Death, in its ordinary sense, means the absence of life.
The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20).
The wicked will perish (Psalm 37:20).
Those outside of Christ will not see life (John 3:36).
Conditional immortality takes such statements at face value: death is real death, not everlasting life in miserable form.
C. Destruction is the dominant biblical metaphor
Throughout Scripture, the destiny of the wicked is depicted in terms of perishing, destruction, consuming fire, and being cut off.
God destroys both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).
The wicked will be like chaff burned up (Matthew 3:12).
Evildoers become stubble consumed by fire (Malachi 4:1).
“Everlasting destruction” comes on those who reject God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Conditional immortality holds that destruction means destruction, not ongoing conscious agony.
2. Why “Annihilationism” Is Often the Preferred Term
Because “conditional immortality” can be used in misleading ways, many theologians prefer the term annihilationism for biblical clarity.
A. Unorthodox forms of conditional immortality
Some teach that the wicked simply “stop existing” the moment they die, or that God passively allows them to fade out without judgment. These views deny biblical teaching in key ways:
They deny real punishment (Hebrews 10:27).
They downplay God’s justice (Romans 2:6).
They minimize the reality of divine wrath (Romans 1:18).
This “no-punishment extinctionism” is outside Christian orthodoxy.
B. Biblical annihilationism affirms real punishment
Biblical annihilationism insists that:
The wicked are resurrected for judgment (John 5:29).
They experience divine wrath, punishment, and accountability (Romans 2:5–6).
Their punishment ends in destruction, the second death (Revelation 20:14).
Annihilationism therefore rejects any attempt to bypass punishment and holds firmly to the biblical depiction of divine judgment.
C. Conditional immortality focuses on life; annihilationism focuses on the end of life
Both terms can be used together, but annihilationism better communicates what happens to the wicked:
their punishment is real, and its outcome is final.
3. How Conditional Immortality Compares to Eternal Conscious Torment
While not the focus of this article, it is helpful to contrast conditional immortality with the traditional doctrine of eternal conscious torment (ECT).
A. Shared affirmations
Both views affirm:
Final judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
Resurrection of all people (John 5:28–29).
Real punishment for the wicked (Matthew 25:46).
The holiness and justice of God (Romans 2:5).
ECT and annihilationism disagree on duration and nature, not on whether God punishes sin.
B. Key differences
Conditional immortality sees death as literal and final.
ECT sees death as a metaphor for conscious separation.
Conditional immortality interprets “eternal punishment” as eternal in consequence.
ECT interprets it as eternal in experience.
Christians throughout history have held both views, and both fall within the bounds of orthodoxy.
4. How Conditional Immortality Fits in Biblical Theology
Conditional immortality resonates with large-scale biblical themes.
A. Only the redeemed inherit eternal life
Eternal life is consistently tied to Christ and his kingdom (John 17:3). Those united to him reign with him forever (Revelation 22:5).
B. The reign of Christ culminates in the destruction of his enemies
Christ destroys every enemy, including death (1 Corinthians 15:24–26). This final victory fits naturally with a view in which sin and sinners do not endure forever but are removed from the cosmos.
C. New creation contains no ongoing presence of evil
In the new heavens and new earth, “the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Conditional immortality sees the complete removal—not endurance—of evil as consistent with this vision.
D. God alone possesses immortality
The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as the sole source of life (Psalm 36:9). To be cut off from the God of life is to lose life itself.
5. Why Conditional Immortality Matters Pastorally
A. It maintains the seriousness of divine judgment
The second death is dreadful, irreversible, and final (Revelation 20:14). Nothing about annihilationism softens hell.
B. It preserves the biblical tension of hope and warning
The gospel offers eternal life freely (John 3:16). Those who reject Christ reject life itself.
C. It clarifies the urgency of repentance
Because judgment ends in real death, not ongoing existence, Scripture’s warnings retain their force (Luke 13:3).
D. It keeps focus on the gospel
Christ gives life. Union with him is the only path through judgment into resurrection glory.
6. Conclusion: What Conditional Immortality Really Teaches
Conditional immortality teaches that human beings are not naturally immortal. Immortality is the gift of God given through Christ. The wicked do not live forever; they face judgment and ultimately perish in the second death.
Unbiblical versions that treat the wicked as simply blinking out of existence without judgment must be rejected, because Scripture clearly teaches punishment, accountability, wrath, and justice.
Biblical annihilationism upholds divine justice while taking seriously the extensive scriptural language of death, destruction, and perishing. Whether one ultimately embraces annihilationism or the traditional view of eternal conscious torment, the key truth remains: eternal life is found only in Christ. Those who refuse him will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on them (John 3:36).
Bible Verses About Conditional Immortality
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“He who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
“The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20).
“Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
“The wicked will perish… they vanish like smoke” (Psalm 37:20).
“The chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).
“Those who do not know God… will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
“All the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble” (Malachi 4:1).
“Many who sleep in the dust… some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
“The lake of fire is the second death” (Revelation 20:14).
