This is the second time a Roman has come in and invented what a greek word actually means. “Zemiothesetai” does not mean “to be punished” at any time.
According to the Greek Lexicon,
Definition
to affect with damage, do damage to
to sustain damage, to receive injury, suffer loss
Translated Words
KJV (6) - be cast away, 1; lose, 2; receive damage, 1; suffer loss, 2;
NAS (6) - forfeit, 1; forfeits, 2; suffer loss, 2; suffered the loss of, 1;
At no time is this word ever translated as “to be punished.”
As for the scripture in question, it does not teach that men go to purgatory to burn for their sins. It says that, despite their imperfections, they will be saved. Kind of like how a Catholic might be saved. Not because of Catholicism, but despite of it “as though by fire.” It does not say they will be punished in the hereafter, only that they will not have as many rewards in heaven as he could have had. The scripture is clear that it is not us who live, but Christ who lives in us. It is by His righteousness, and not our own, that we merit heaven. And it is by His sacrifice, not the Eucharist or any ritual you go through or any holy work you do, which makes you clean as snow.
Which Greek Lexicon would that be? (Note: You wouldn't be the first "non-Roman" to not know that most lexicons and concordances used in Protestant apologetics are highly flawed, deriving their Greek meanings from the KJV interpretations rather than beginning with the Koine Greek meanings.)
Peace be with you
AMEN! Scripture is SO clear that we do not earn or merit salvation by anything we do but by the unmerited, unearned, undeserved GRACE of Almighty God. If we could be saved by our own good works or human perfection, then Jesus Christ died in vain. But, praise the Lord, when we were YET sinners, Christ died for us. And the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin. When we by faith receive Him, believe on Him, accept Him, we are made children of God who will never be cast out, lost or plucked from His hands.
It amazes me when anyone sneers at or mocks the truth that we are saved by grace THROUGH faith and NOT of ourselves. It is like tossing God's gift back in His face with a curt, "Thanks, but I can do it myself!". There is obviously a spiritual blindness that comes over some people that keeps them from seeing just how destitute and without hope we all are without Christ. We love Him because He FIRST loved us.
Thank you for your stand for the truth of the Gospel.