Will all the faithful be equal in eternal glory?

St. Paul says, “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory” (1 Cor. 15:41).

If, while we strive on earth, the resurrected life with Christ grants us the power to destroy sin and break the sting of death that we may live with the joyful spirit of victory, each believer according to his spiritual potential — then in eternity there are there many mansions (John 14:2). These mansions do not cause jealousy, envy, or pride. Rather, every believer feels that whatever his brothers and sisters have received, he also has received; and thus he desires to be the last of all.

St. Jerome says, “In spite of the diversity of glories in heaven, everyone enjoys the same house. The Lord has ascended not to prepare many places, but rather one house. Everyone will share the same house and feel sufficiency and satisfaction, even if the glory of one star differs from the other.”¹²⁹⁵

St. John Chrysostom says, “great will be then the difference of glory, though there be but one resurrection … There being not only a difference between sun and moon, and stars, but also between stars and stars. For what though they be all in the heaven? Yet some have a larger, others a less share of glory. What do we learn from hence? That although they be all in God’s kingdom, all shall not enjoy the same reward; and though all sinners be in hell, all shall not endure the same punishment … For all indeed rise again, both in power and in incorruption; and in this glory of their incorruption yet are not all in the same state of honor and safety.”¹²⁹⁶

1294 Origen of Alexandria, De Principiis (On First Principles) 2.9.3 (ANF 4:290).

1295 Cf. St. Jerome, Against Jovinianus 2.28 (NPNF II/6:409–410).

1296 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians 41.4–5 (NPNF I/12:251–252) amended.