Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The adversary, acting as a tyrant, deceived Samson through the influence of a woman, just as he had deceived Adam similarly. While Samson labored at the mill, Adam toiled in the fields, both wearing themselves out. Samson's heartfelt plea for salvation resonates with our own prayers, as we endure the trials of life. Blessed is the One who granted Samson release from his grueling tasks. Samson serves as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice, the Eternal Priest. Through Samson’s death, captives were restored to their homes; through the death of the Eternal Priest, we were brought back to our rightful inheritance.

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

Sampson ended his own life. In his declaration, he stated, "Let my soul die with the foreigners." The number of Philistines he struck down in his death surpassed those he defeated during his lifetime. The Lord explicitly forbids killing: "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). It is important to note that Sampson did not act recklessly when he took his life alongside the Philistines; rather, he was fueled by a fervent dedication to God's glory and operated through the strength bestowed upon him by his Creator. This powerful act of sacrifice demonstrated a magnificent defeat, echoing the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over the adversaries of the Church.

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Sampson's demise alongside the Philistines is evident from the story surrounding him: "Let my soul die with the foreigners" (30). He had previously expressed his intent to exact revenge on the Philistines for the loss of his eyesight, praying, "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 a critical question: did Sampson sin by choosing to end his life due to a personal grievance?

Several principles regarding suicide merit consideration. First, natural law obliges us to uphold the sanctity of life; therefore, those who deliberately take their own life, while in a sound mind, violate this obligation. Such actions not only damage their own integrity but also reveal the dangers posed by uncontrolled passions, potentially leading to self-harm and the loss of earthly existence. This is particularly true for those who enact violence upon themselves, as humanity lacks the rightful authority to create or terminate life. By such acts, they usurp the dominion of the Supreme Creator.

Second, one may question whether the death of someone in extreme despair holds less moral weight than a sorrowful existence. The answer to this is clear: even the harshest adversities in life are typically more bearable than death, for there remains a glimmer of hope, however uncertain, for relief from suffering.

Third, human existence embodies a perfection forged from the unity of soul and body; death disrupts this wholeness. The Lord has granted the soul reason, enabling it to choose a lesser good over a greater evil in times of calamity.

Fourth, suicides that arise from ignorance, madness, or coercion cannot be deemed blameworthy, as they represent actions devoid of free will. Actions dictated by insanity or external compulsion fall outside the realm of voluntary decision-making and thus cannot be solely attributed to the individual.

Fifth, when assessing Sampson's choice to end his life, it is crucial to consider his zeal for the one true God. His act was less about seeking personal vengeance and more of a testament to his passion for the glory of the God of Israel and His Holy Law.

Judges 16:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Church Fathers on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

Roshdestwenski W.G.

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