That same word used in Matthew, eternal punishment, is the same word used by John, He who fears is not made perfect in love, because fear has torment.It's okay if you don't quote all of the verses that seem to refute what I'm saying. I've already read all of the verses (and studied them, hehe). I've seen this topic debated ad nauseam. I would be very careful about taking the position you're taking because of scriptures like these:
Matt 25:45-46--“Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
1 Thes 2:7-10--This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
Won't "eternal punishment" amount to eternal suffering??
.
When we stick to defining things by Scripture, this is what we have. Fear has torment. And these show go into everlasting torment. And we can either believe it or not.
Much love!