Judges 16:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although there had been no one like him before or after, and no warrior in this world could match his prowess, in death he prevailed over himself and demonstrated his indomitable spirit by facing the feared final moments of life without fear. Thus, through his strength, Samson concluded his days in triumph, departing not as a captive but as a conqueror. It was his flesh, not his character, that led him to succumb to the treachery of a woman, for human nature is inclined to sin and often surrenders to the temptations of wickedness. Scripture testifies that he caused the destruction of more adversaries in his death than during his lifetime; therefore, he went into captivity to annihilate his foes rather than to bow before them. In what way was he defeated by a death that eclipsed his life’s glory? It was not by arrows that he met his end but by the bodies of his enemies, which served not only as his tomb but also as a testament to his victory. Samson bequeathed to future generations the memory of his bravery, for the nation that he found oppressed and ruled for twenty years, exemplifying independence through his deeds, remained at his death the inheritor of freedom in his father’s homeland.

The apostle exhorts us, “Mortify your earthly members: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Let drunkenness and pride perish within us, let envy vanish, let anger cease, and let all evildoing be forsaken. Should we muster the courage, with God's assistance, to eradicate these sins from our hearts, then, akin to Samson, we can defeat our adversaries through our own death to sin and vice.

The power that was restored within Samson, revealed at his end, is, I assert, unique to every minister of Christ. When someone is ensnared by sin and finds salvation through repentance, the grace that is restored also revitalizes a clear conscience, much like the regrowth of hair. This renewal enables the merits of faith, akin to the robust muscles of bravery, to seize and topple the pillars of the enemy that uphold the stronghold of wickedness. What are these pillars of the enemy's domain but the sins that support the devil’s realm, where he relishes his victory and mocks our frail minds? By mortifying our flesh, we expel this enemy from his stronghold. Our foe lurks within, instigating battles daily. As long as we acquiesce, allowing our will to entertain evil, he maintains dominion over us. With our own vices arrayed against us, he assails our outward ministry; when we yield our members to him for unrighteous deeds, we essentially become victims of our own sword. Yet, we must hold fast to the promise we made at our baptism, when we were buried with Christ in the sacrament of His crucifixion: we renounce the devil, his deceptions, and his works. Let us not emulate those who conform to worldly ways; instead, let us strive for a life where it is not we who live, but Christ who lives within us. When He is restored to His rightful place as head over all, the stronghold of the devil will collapse, and all our enemies will meet their destruction with the death of our sins, facing eternal ruin.

The narrative about Sampson reveals that he met his end alongside the Philistines, as evidenced by his own declaration: "Let my soul die with the foreigners" (30). Before this, he made clear his intent to avenge his blindness, pleading with the Lord, saying, "Adonai Lord, Lord of Hosts, remember me now, and strengthen me yet one more, O God, that I may take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes" (28). This raises the question regarding the nature of Sampson’s action: did he sin by taking his own life in light of personal offense?

Several principles regarding suicide are relevant here: 1) Natural law compels us to safeguard our lives; thus, those who consciously take their own life violate this obligation. By transgressing these rights, individuals diminish themselves, surrendering to passions that lead to self-harm and, at times, even the loss of earthly existence. Those who inflict violence upon themselves most gravely contradict this natural right, for just as one cannot grant oneself life, neither can one freely choose to end it. Such acts usurp the authority of the Supreme Provider. 2) In times of intense suffering, is death truly less despicable than enduring a sorrowful existence filled with afflictions? Yet, this is countered by the idea that, regardless of how dire one’s circumstances, life—no matter how challenging—always holds the potential for hope and deliverance. 3) Life represents a divine masterpiece, a unity of soul and body; death disrupts this harmony. The Creator has granted humanity reason, enabling individuals to choose the lesser of two evils in times of tribulation. 4) A suicide enacted in a state of unawareness, madness, or coercive pressure cannot be deemed culpable, as such an act arises from a lack of freedom. Actions rooted in ignorance or driven by overwhelming external or internal forces do not qualify as free will and should not be attributed solely to the individual. 5) In considering Sampson's death, it becomes essential to recognize that his actions stemmed from a zealous commitment to honoring God rather than simply seeking personal retribution for an offense.