THEOSISGregory the Great
Verse 22. There exists no darkness, nor shadow of death, where evildoers can seek concealment, as seen in Job 34:22. What did he refer to as ‘darkness’ if not ignorance, and what is meant by ‘shadow of death’ if not forgetfulness? It is noted that due to ignorance, some have minds shrouded in darkness, as stated in Ephesians 4:18. Furthermore, concerning the forgetfulness that descends upon us at the time of death, it is written: in that day, all their thoughts shall perish (Ps. 145:4). After death, all the thoughts one harbored during their lifetime are fully surrendered to oblivion, which symbolizes the shadow of death. Just as death concludes the actions of life, so too does forgetfulness eradicate what resides in memory.
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Yet God does not overlook wicked thoughts, nor does He forget sinful actions—except when they are truly erased from His sight through repentance—therefore He rightly declares, There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where those who commit iniquity can find refuge. In essence, He asserts that no one can escape His judgment, as He is unable to overlook our actions or forget what He has witnessed.
However, the terms ‘darkness’ and ‘shadow of death’ can be interpreted in another way. Every transition embodies a form of death, as anything that undergoes change is severed from its original state: it ceases to exist as it was and begins to be something new. Only the True Light, our Creator, remains unaffected by the fluctuations of change, for His essence is without defect; it is His inherent nature to shine consistently, thus darkness and shadow of death do not exist in Him. Hence, it is recorded in another scripture: He who has neither variation nor shadow of turning (James 1:17). Additionally, the Apostle Paul states that God is the one who possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man can approach (1 Tim. 6:16). Despite the fact that we all know that the souls of humanity and angelic beings were created immortal, why is it that only God possesses true immortality, and alone is truly unchanging?
If the human soul had not been subject to change, it would not have fallen. Cast out from the joys of Paradise, if it were incapable of change, it could never aspire to return to life. However, in its attempt to seek life once more, it must grapple with the challenges posed by its own mutable nature. When it was formed from nothing, it would have faltered had it not been upheld by the hand of its Creator in a state of sacred aspiration. It is a creation inherently susceptible to downfall; relying solely on its own strength, it can only plunge into ruin. It is only by leaning steadfastly upon its Creator, supported by the hand of love, that it can avoid falling, until it transitions into unchangeability, thereby living truly immortal, as it remains constant.
The angelic spirits were likewise created with a nature prone to change, able to choose to fall or to stand firm. Yet, by choosing humbly to cling to Him who created them, they overcame their mutable essence, thus deserving to transcend the mutability inherent to their being. Since it is a characteristic of the divine nature to be free from the shadows of ignorance and change, it is justly affirmed: There is no darkness, nor shadow of mortal things, where those who do iniquity can take refuge. The more the eternal Light, which is God Himself, illuminates the heart, the clearer man perceives, being neither ignorant of the hidden nor forgetting the deeds into which this light shines, as it endures without alteration. Thus, whenever we recognize unworthy thoughts in ourselves, we sin in the light. When we act wickedly, we rebel against Him from whom we are justly estranged. However, if we choose to avert our gaze, it is akin to shutting our eyes to the sunlight: in doing so, we obscure Him from our view, yet we remain entirely visible to Him.
Let us now, while we have the opportunity, cast aside our evil thoughts and actions from the sight of the eternal Judge. Let us lay before the eyes of our hearts the wrongs we have committed due to presumption. Let us not harbor our weaknesses or gently excuse the sins that light brings to our attention. The more we acknowledge the evil within us, the better we can serve our own salvation. Let this realization not merely foreshadow a future judgment, but may we become aware of all our sins, allowing ourselves to undergo transformation through repentance. Therefore, after detailing the punishment of this wicked individual, it is further expounded: