THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Who would not have been horrified? Who would not have feared the apostle? Who would not have marveled? Since what happened could seem exceedingly severe, he brought a fearful judgment upon both him and his wife. If he had not subjected both of them to such judgment, when they had sinned inexcusably, what contempt for the things of God would have resulted from this? That he acted for this reason is clear from the fact that he did not proceed at once to punishment. First he disclosed their sin. Therefore no one wept and no one lamented, but all were afraid. It is no wonder that, as their faith spread, the signs were also more numerous and great fear existed among their own. For what is our own troubles us more than what comes from outside.
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So, if we also are united with one another, no one will rise up against us. But if we are divided from one another, then, on the contrary, all will attack us. For this reason they too were bold and went out with confidence into the marketplaces amid their enemies, and they prevailed. The saying was fulfilled: "Rule in the midst of Your enemies" (Ps 109:2). Their strength was shown all the more by the fact that they did this while they were arrested and bound. Therefore, if those who merely lied suffered such punishment, what will those not suffer who break oaths? Or rather, if the wife who only said, "Yes, for so much," underwent such punishment and did not escape it, consider what punishment you deserve, who swear and break oaths. It is timely now to show from the old covenant the gravity of perjury. "A flying scroll," says the prophet, "... its width was ten cubits" (Zech 5:1-2). The expression "flying" signifies the extreme swiftness of the punishment that follows oaths. Its being ten cubits wide and twenty long signifies the weight and magnitude of the evils. Its flying from heaven means that the decree comes from the tribunal on high. Its having the form of a sickle signifies the inevitability of punishment. As a sickle, once fixed in the neck, cannot be drawn out before the head is cut off with it, so the punishment that overtakes those who swear is fearful. It does not withdraw from them before finishing its work. If we escape punishment while using oaths, let us not rely on this. It happens to our own misfortune. What do you think? Did many after Ananias and Sapphira dare to do the same thing and not undergo the same punishment? Why, you ask, did they not undergo it? Not because it was forgiven them, but because they are being kept for a greater punishment. Therefore those who sin much should fear and tremble more when they are not punished than when they are punished. For their punishment is increased by impunity and by the long-suffering of God. Therefore let us not look at whether we are being punished, but at whether we have sinned. If we sin and are not punished, then we ought to tremble still more. Tell me, if you had a slave and only threatened him, but did not beat him, when would he be more afraid? When would he run away? When would he decide to flee? Would it not be when you only threatened him? For this reason we too advise people not to threaten one another constantly. Otherwise they may trouble the soul too much by fear and torment it more than by blows. In one case punishment is temporary. In the other it is continual. Therefore, if no one now suffers from this sickle, do not look at that. Rather, consider whether such deeds are being done. Much is still done now that was done in the time of the flood. Yet there is no flood, because Gehenna and torment are set before us. Many sin like the Sodomites, but no rain of fire comes down upon them, because a river of fire has been prepared. Many dared to do what Pharaoh did, but they did not undergo the same punishment as he. They were not drowned in the Red Sea, because the sea of the abyss awaits them. There punishment will not be accompanied by insensibility and will not end in death. There they will be tormented, subjected ever more to punishment, burning, and suffocation. Many dared to sin like the Israelites, but serpents did not bite them, because the worm that does not end awaits them. Many dared to do what Gehazi did (2 Kgs 5), but they were not struck with leprosy. Instead of leprosy, they face being cut in two and receiving one portion with the hypocrites (Mt 24:51). Many swore and broke oaths. Yet even if they escaped punishment, let us not rely on this, because the gnashing of teeth awaits them. Even here, perhaps, they will experience it and not escape. If not immediately, then in connection with other sins, so that the punishment will be more severe. We too often, on account of small transgressions, repay fully for great ones. Therefore, when you notice something happening to you, remember this sin of yours. This is exactly what happened with the sons of Jacob. Remember Joseph's brothers. They sold their brother and attempted to deprive him of life. Or rather, as far as it depended on them, they had already deprived him of it. They deceived and grieved the old man, and suffered nothing. But many years later they fell into extreme danger and remembered that sin. That what has been said is no invention, hear what they themselves say: "We are being punished for our sin against our brother" (Gen 42:21). In the same way, when something happens to you, say: yes, we are in sin, because we did not obey Christ and because we swore. Frequent oaths and perjuries have fallen upon my head. Confess in this way, for they too confessed and were saved. What if punishment does not overtake a man at once? Ahab also did not suffer immediately after his crime against Naboth what he later experienced (1 Kgs 21). Why does this happen? God gives you time to wash yourself. But when you delay, He finally sends punishment. You have seen what those who lied suffered. From this understand what those who break oaths will undergo. Understand, and cease. Whoever swears cannot avoid breaking an oath, whether willingly or unwillingly. Whoever breaks oaths cannot be saved. A single broken oath can do everything and bring upon us the whole punishment. Therefore, I beseech you, let us attend to ourselves. Then, escaping punishment here, we may be counted worthy of mercy from God, by the grace and compassion of His only-begotten Son. To Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, dominion, and honor, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.