Genesis 20:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This experience is similar to physical suffering; when we are afflicted by two illnesses simultaneously, one can often overpower the other. In such cases, we become wholly consumed by the sensation of the most intense pain, frequently rendering us oblivious to the lesser affliction, as it is eclipsed by the stronger agony. Likewise, the righteous man, facing the looming fear of death, found all other concerns more tolerable. However, beloved, do not judge the righteous man as cowardly for his fear of death. Instead, marvel at the magnificent mercy the Lord has shown us, for that death, once fearsome even to the most virtuous and holy individuals, has been made trivial by Christ. The death that once struck terror into the hearts of the righteous is now mockingly dismissed by the young and the innocent. Death has transformed from its former dreadfulness into a mere sleep, a transition from a lesser existence to a greater one. The death of our Lord has granted us eternal life; by His descent into hell, He vanquished its powers and dismantled its might. This once terrifying realm, which seemed insurmountable, has been so diminished by Christ that some boldly seek to depart this life. Thus we hear Paul exclaim, “To be resolved and to be with Christ ... is incomparably better” (Philippians 1:23). Yet, this truth occurred only after Christ’s arrival, after the gates of brass were broken and the Sun of righteousness illuminated the cosmos. In ancient times, death maintained a harrowing visage, causing deep tremors in the hearts of the righteous, making them endure what appeared unbearable with relative ease. In similar fashion, this righteous man, fearing the cunning of the people of Gerar, introduced his wife not as his spouse but as his sister, and he dwelled among them. God allowed him to journey into Egypt to reveal the virtue of this righteous man to those lacking in understanding and compassion. In this scenario, the Lord demonstrated His patience, allowing the man's steadfastness to shine and His favor to be evident to all. “Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Envision the internal turmoil that the righteous man experienced as he witnessed his wife being taken from him, with no means to defend her. However, he remained silent, trusting in the Lord’s promise not to abandon him and to provide swift assistance. Let us applaud Sarah’s extraordinary love, as she sought to protect the righteous man from the threat of death. She could have avoided the shame awaiting her by disclosing the truth, yet she chose to endure all hardship in order to preserve the life of her husband. Thus, the scripture was fulfilled: “They shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Their concern for one another’s well-being mirrored that of one body, united in spirit and purpose. Let husbands take heed, and likewise wives, that wives may foster such love for their husbands and regard nothing as more significant than their salvation; and that husbands may reciprocate that great care, acting in all matters as though they share one soul and one body. This exemplifies true matrimony, where spouses share profound harmony and an intimate connection born of mutual love. Just as a body should never be in discord with itself, nor should a soul be troubled within, so too should a husband and wife exist in unity. Such unity brings forth countless blessings—peace, love, and joy abound where harmony exists. There is no room for strife, conflict, bitterness, or discontent; these are eradicated when the root of all good things—unanimity—prevails.

purity of my hands: for Abraham himself said that she was his sister, and she said that he was her brother.” Although this king was innocent of adultery, he was nonetheless punished for a wrongful act. The injustice lay in that he took the wife against her will. Abimelech desired Sarah for her remarkable beauty, and Abraham feared that he might be killed by wicked men drawn to her allure. Hence, he referred to her as his sister rather than his wife among those who lived without the law and those who feared God in Egypt and Gerar.

It is remarkable that Sarah, despite her old age, retained her youthful appearance, as she was ninety years old at the time. Theologians offer several explanations for why she maintained her beauty: her excellent physical constitution, her barrenness, and her abstinence from indulgence. She did not succumb to excessive eating or drinking but lived a life of moderation; once she recognized her barrenness and offered a servant to her husband, she refrained from seeking intimacy with men. Even up until the moment God appeared to them in the form of three angels to announce the end of her barrenness, her beauty remained preserved. In addition to these natural factors, her virtuous and holy lifestyle, which attracted the grace of God, significantly contributed to her enduring beauty. As stated in Ecclesiastes, “As wisdom enlightens a man's face, so does a godly life make his face bright and beautiful” (Ecclesiastes 8:1-3). Such radiance characterized the faces of figures like Seth, Moses, Judith, and Stephen, the first martyr, who bore the visage of an angel.

Just as a lamp shines brightly when filled with a lit candle, illuminating the darkness around it, a person embodies a soul that, when ignited with love for God, radiates goodness, causing their face to glow with beauty as the grace of God reflects upon them. Consider the example of Saint Pamva, a monk whose life illustrates that the abundant grace of God within him made him resemble those in paradise. Even while dwelling in his mortal body among others, Pamva exhibited a visage illuminated with glory, akin to that of the holy prophet Moses. The Paterik recounts that the monk spent three years in fervent prayer, pleading with God not to glorify him on earth. Yet, God, who honors His saints, glorified Pamva to the extent that his brethren could hardly gaze upon his shining face. Thus, he experienced honor in his earthly existence even prior to his ascension in heaven.

While a righteous and holy life illuminates a person’s appearance, the opposite can be said for a life marked by sin and ungodliness, which casts a shadow of darkness upon one’s visage. The life of Niphont serves as an example; in his youth, he surrendered to sinful desires. When he visited his friend Nicodemus, the latter was struck by Niphont's countenance, exclaiming that he had never seen him look so horrific, like a wolf. Taken aback, Niphont covered his face in shame and left, realizing the grim truth of his condition: “Woe to me, a sinner, for if I am disfigured in body and soul in this life, what awaits me at the judgment of God!” This illustrates how a sinful life can mar a person's face.

In contrast, Sarah’s countenance shone with radiant beauty well into her old age, as she lived righteously before God, her soul ablaze with light. Her inner beauty contributed to her outer beauty. Some assert that when God lifted her barrenness and granted her the strength to bear a child, He restored her former beauty because it pleased Him. He granted her a lovely appearance, wishing to reveal her inner grace to the world.

This serves as a teaching for wives who rely on cosmetics and paints to enhance their looks. Why do they adorn their faces like decorated coffins? They often lack inherent beauty, primarily because they do not emulate the life of the virtuous Sarah; instead of being pure, temperate, righteous, and pleasing to God, they often indulge in excess and neglect their spiritual well-being. Consequently, their faces lack natural beauty, for the darkness of their souls manifests in their appearances. Just as Christ said, “if the eye is dark, the whole body is also dark” (Matthew 6:23 and Luke 11:34). Nothing strips youth’s vibrancy and leads to a dull and aged appearance more than a life driven by sinful desires and excess.