Clement of Alexandria c. 150 to c. 215 · Alexandria Clement agrees.
On record in Comments on the First Epistle of John.
Did the early Christians think everyone would be saved?
They did not agree. Origen, Macrina the Younger and 3 others would say yes to the statement below. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons and 9 others would say no.
- 16On record
- 5Would agree
- 11Would disagree
The statement in the quiz
“In the end, God will save everyone.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
From your result on . See your result
5 early Christians
Would agree
Your side
Clement of Alexandria c. 150 to c. 215 · Alexandria 
Origen c. 185 to c. 253 · Alexandria and Caesarea Origen strongly agrees:
“But our belief is, that the Word shall prevail over the entire rational creation, and change every soul into His own perfection.”
Against Celsus
Macrina the Younger c. 327 to 379 · Cappadocia Macrina strongly agrees:
“But He that becomes all things will be in all things too; and herein it appears to me that Scripture teaches the complete annihilation of evil.”
On the Soul and the Resurrection, as her brother Gregory recorded her words
Gregory of Nyssa c. 335 to after 394 · Cappadocia Gregory of Nyssa strongly agrees:
“He accomplished all the results before mentioned, freeing both man from evil, and healing even the introducer of evil himself.”
The Great Catechism
Isaac the Syrian 7th century · Nineveh and the mountains Isaac strongly agrees:
“The retribution of the sinners is this, that He repays them with resurrection instead of with justice.”
Ascetical Homilies
11 early Christians
Would disagree
Your side
Justin Martyr c. 100 to c. 165 · Samaria, Ephesus and Rome Justin strongly disagrees.
On record in First Apology.
Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons Irenaeus strongly disagrees:
“Thus also the punishment of those who do not believe the Word of God, and despise His advent, and are turned away backwards, is increased; being not merely temporal, but rendered also eternal.”
Against Heresies
Tertullian c. 155 to after 220 · Carthage Tertullian strongly disagrees.
On record in Apology.
Cyprian of Carthage c. 200 to 258 · Carthage Cyprian strongly disagrees:
“An ever-burning Gehenna will burn up the condemned, and a punishment devouring with living flames.”
To Demetrian
Lactantius c. 250 to c. 325 · Nicomedia and Gaul Lactantius strongly disagrees:
“The same divine fire, therefore, with one and the same force and power, will both burn the wicked and will form them again.”
Divine Institutes
Basil the Great c. 330 to 379 · Caesarea in Cappadocia Basil strongly disagrees:
“But if we cannot think this of life, with what reason shall we give eternal punishment an end? For both equally have the adjective eternal.”
The Shorter Rules
John Chrysostom c. 347 to 407 · Antioch and Constantinople Chrysostom strongly disagrees:
“How then is that temporary which is everlasting?”
Homilies on Second Thessalonians
Jerome c. 347 to 420 · Rome and Bethlehem Jerome strongly disagrees:
“Let us not wait for the repentance of the devil; for this is a vain anticipation and one that will drag us into the deep of hell. Life must be sought or lost here.”
Letter to Pammachius and Oceanus
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine strongly disagrees:
“Wherefore, as the eternal life of the saints shall be endless, so too the eternal punishment of those who are doomed to it shall have no end.”
City of God
Benedict of Nursia c. 480 to c. 547 · Subiaco and Monte Cassino Benedict disagrees.
On record in Rule of St Benedict.
Gregory the Great c. 540 to 604 · Rome Gregory the Great strongly disagrees:
“Certain it is, and without all doubt most true, that as the good shall have no end of their joys, so the wicked never any release of their torments.”
Dialogues
What they said
More questions
your turn
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.