Genesis 18:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For we are impoverished in good deeds, not because we cannot act well, but rather because we choose not to; and a clear testament to this is that many others, similar to us by nature, shine with virtues. The fact that our forefather, existing before the age of grace and the law, was able to attain such high virtue solely through natural reason strips us of all justification. True, some might argue that this man was uniquely cared for by God and that the Lord manifested extraordinary providence towards him, and I would affirm this. Yet, if Abraham had not done all that was within his capacity, he would not have received such divine favor. Therefore, let us not focus solely on the miraculous providence that surrounded Abraham, but rather observe how he consistently demonstrated virtue in all circumstances before being favored by God. I have emphasized this point several times. When he moved from his homeland without receiving any pious legacy from his forebears, he showcased immense love for God. Upon leaving Chaldea and receiving the command to journey to a foreign land, he did not hesitate or delay, but immediately obeyed, even without knowing where his path would lead. He treated the unknown as if it were already familiar, prioritizing the command of God above all else. From the outset, he was the first to act, and in turn, God abundantly rewarded him for his endeavors. Similarly, beloved, if we desire to experience divine favor, let us follow the example of our forefather. We must not shy away from pursuing virtue, but actively learn and strive for each of the virtues, so that the eye of our Lord, observing our earnestness, may be moved to grant us rewards. He who knows our innermost thoughts will provide help as soon as He sees us striving for virtue, alleviating our burdens, strengthening our weaknesses, and bestowing generous rewards upon us. Unlike the Olympic games, where the instructor merely observes and waits for the victor to emerge, our Lord actively assists us. He extends His hand to fight alongside us, as if He Himself defeats the adversary, arranging everything so that we can endure in the struggle and achieve victory, allowing Him to place a glorious crown upon our heads. “A beautiful wreath, it is said, for thy head, and an ornament for thy neck” (Proverbs 1:9). The victor’s crown in Olympic competitions was merely composed of wilting laurel leaves and fleeting applause, but the crown awarded for virtue and labor is not ephemeral, nor does it perish as worldly things do. It is an everlasting, immortal crown that remains in every age. Though our labor may be brief, its reward is eternal, untouched by time, and unfading. To illustrate this, consider how many years and generations have elapsed since the time of Abraham, yet his crowns of virtue continue to shine brightly, as if they just emerged yesterday or today. They will serve as inspiration for all pious individuals until the end of time.

With such an exemplar of virtue in the patriarch, let us strive to imitate him. Let us wake up to our dignity, and, by following the path of our forefather, prioritize our salvation. We must endeavor to ensure not just the health of our bodies, but the healing of our souls from their various afflictions. It is often easier to cure the soul's ailments than those of the body, provided we are willing to remain vigilant and disciplined. If we find ourselves provoked by any passion, we should envision the future day of reckoning, keeping in mind the joys of eternity instead of the fleeting pleasures of this world. In doing so, our passions will diminish and disperse from our souls. Let us remain vigilant, recognizing that we face a significant struggle ahead, requiring us to be ever ready. We must maintain a strong spirit at all times, so that, with divine assistance, we may vanquish the head of the evil one who opposes our salvation. The Lord Himself has assured us of this, saying, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). Therefore, I urge you to remain alert, so that by walking in virtue and emulating this forefather, we may receive crowns like his, rest in his embrace, and, having escaped eternal fire, be honored with unspeakable blessings to come. To fuel your zeal and encourage you to imitate this righteous man, let us once again reflect on key events from his life. Following his generous hospitality, esteemed not for the quantity or quality of the food, but for the sincerity behind it, the Lord accepted the righteous man's kindness and promptly rewarded him for his extraordinary love. During this time, the forefather learned who the Coming One was and understood His power. As the travelers prepared to depart for Sodom, he accompanied them, as it is written. Observe how loving the Lord is towards humanity, how He lowers Himself to honor the righteous, wishing to reveal the inherent virtues within his soul. Meanwhile, the angels rose to depart for Sodom and Gomorrah. This refers to the angels, for both they and the Lord appeared in Abraham's presence. The angels were dispatched as messengers to destroy those cities, while the Lord remained behind to converse with the righteous man as a friend converses with a friend, regarding His intentions.

Likewise, the angels journeying to Sodom seem to lack knowledge of how to reach it, prompting Abraham, as he bid them farewell, to indicate the way, almost as if inquiring, "Where is the city of Sodom?" It is indeed curious that these holy angels, who behold the entirety of creation from heaven and move according to God’s will while possessing knowledge of every end of the earth, should seem to lack awareness of the path to Sodom.

Why did these celestial beings arrive at the dwelling of Abraham—who at that time resided in the oak grove of Mamre—without a guide for their journey? The pathway to Sodom was well-known, frequently traveled by many, yet they required Abraham’s assistance, as if they were unable to make the trip alone. What accounts for this circumstance and the underlying mystery? One historian suggests that "only Abraham's abode was pure, whereas the land around him was steeped in corruption. The angels were aware of the righteous individuals hidden within but did not recognize the visible wickedness surrounding them." This elucidates why the angels sought Abraham in his secluded locale and why they seemed to need his guidance to reach Sodom. In that entire region where Sodom and its neighboring cities were located, and adjacent to Mamre, only the home of righteous Abraham, who revered God, remained untainted; there was no iniquity within, for he lived a virtuous and devout life. Thus, the angels knew well the path to Abraham's home, despite its isolation amidst foliage and oaks, because they invisibly attend to the pure and pious, wherever they choose to dwell—be it in mountains, deserts, or other places.

Conversely, Sodom, filled with wickedness and sinful debauchery, was a place where angels never venture, nor do they wish to gaze upon the sinful because of their inherent filthiness. As such, these angels might seem as if they had never traveled to the renowned city of Sodom, which was situated prominently so high on the hills. St. John Chrysostom supports this view, noting: "Sodom had grand pillars, while Abraham lived in a humble tent. Yet, the angels, passing by Sodom, chose to approach Abraham’s modest dwelling, for they sought not external grandeur, but rather the nurturing of virtue within the soul." If there are modern-day imitators of the ancient sinners of Sodom, let them take heed of how detestable their actions are in the sight of God and His angels. Such sins not only alienate them from divine companionship but also render them unworthy of even being acknowledged or seen. Pure beings withdraw from such impurity, repelled by the stench of sin, akin to bees escaping from smoke.

When these holy angels distance themselves from the inhabitants of Sodom, who else will dwell with them but unclean spirits? Where humanity, having forsaken righteous morals, resembles unclean animals, there the angels of God retreat, preferring not to be in fellowship with those who are depraved. Instead of angels, demons approach such individuals, seeking to inhabit them, as we witness in the account of the swine at Gergasa (Matthew 8:28-32). Consequently, these malevolent forces reside in them, pushing them toward the abyss—into the murky, ravenous depths of Sodom, ultimately leading them to ruin in hell.

Oh, the despicable state of Sodom manifests in Christians! How utterly tragic! The fate of such individuals is looming; the wrath of God and His vengeance are imminent, and the fires of Gehenna draw near, ready to engulf them if they do not repent.