RE: We can’t. The argument that is being made is that this teaching is not about the eternal fate of the lost or the saved.
My argument in bringing it up though is to show that there IS conscious punishment.
Now regarding whether or not punishment is eternal, let’s talk about a separate verse.
Matthew 25:41-46:
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
My argument in bringing it up though is to show that there IS conscious punishment.
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Hmmmm. This punishment is, apparently, NOT life. I wonder what it could be. ;-)