Revelation 18:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See how the nations of Babylon were destroyed. She is repaid double. How is she repaid double? The saints fight; they raise two-edged swords. Battles take place, and killings and divisions occur. How is she repaid double? When she was able to persecute Christians, she killed the flesh, but she did not crush God. Now she is repaid double: the pagans are destroyed, and the idols are shattered.

"Render to her double according to her works." This is said either to the innocent, who suffered many evils from the rulers of that city. By their patient endurance of sorrows, they become the cause of greater punishment for their persecutors.

Or these words indicate a transition to other persons, that is, from those being punished to the holy powers who punish. Because of love for God, they regard the wrongs done to His servants as their own.

The cup is called double either because sinners and transgressors of the law will undergo dreadful punishment in this life and the next, or because their soul and body will suffer together, since their deeds are common.

Or it is because the punishments for sins will be not only outward but also inward, in the form of pangs of conscience.

In Isaiah it is said to her: "Come down and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground, daughter of the Chaldeans, for there is no throne. You shall no longer be called tender and luxurious" (Isa 47:1).

And a little later: "Sit silent and go into darkness, for you shall no longer be called mistress of kingdoms" (Isa 47:5).

And again: "You said, I shall be mistress forever, but you did not set this in your mind, nor did you consider what would come afterward. But now hear this, you delicate one, who dwell securely, who say in your heart: I am, and there is none like me.

I shall not sit as a widow, and I shall not know the loss of children. But suddenly, in one day, both these things shall come upon you, loss of children and widowhood" (Isa 47:7-9).

Who does not understand that these things, brought together, form entirely one and the same prophecy, and proclaim one universal event?

It is said: "Render to her double according to her sins." Yet through the all-wise Moses the Lord also commanded us: "Do not take vengeance twice for the same thing" (Nah 1:9). How, then, will He repay twice?

Twice does not signify a double quantity. Rather, because God is compassionate and good, and punishes far less than is deserved, He considers that He has repaid twice even when He repays only a part.

And not only twice, but sevenfold. Knowing this, the prophet said: "Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbors the reproach with which they reproached Thee, O Lord" (Ps 78:12). In supplication he begged God for the deserved sevenfold punishment of the enemies.

All these future events are connected with the second coming. Then, after the examination of the last judgment, the society of the impious will be cast out and will receive its just reward. Those who sinned in time will be punished in eternity.

This is what the words mean: "Render to her double and prepare for her double." Everyone who enjoyed passing pleasures will undergo eternal torments.

In the psalm the Lord foretells that He will deliver His own from this usury: "From usury and unrighteousness He will redeem their souls" (Ps 71:14).

Moreover, it is said that they will be burned by eternal fire and tormented by hunger. This will happen when those who now hunger and thirst for righteousness receive incorruptible wealth.

Having called all true Christians, all His humble and faithful servants, to separate from such people, God commands that the latter be doubly punished for their hardhearted deeds.

These servants had meekly endured many different sorrows and constant oppression from powerful men who were at the same time unbelieving, fleshly, and sensual in that corrupt city.

By double or twofold punishment, St Andrew here understands that great sinners and transgressors are subject to God's punishment both in this life and in the future life.

He also understands that this punishment will concern both soul and body. Not only sinful deeds, but also sinful thoughts will be subject to punishment, as the Savior also said (cf. Mt 12:36).

"I shall not see sorrow." Only people who have completely lost the fear of God can speak this way. They have reached the final degree of corruption and self-deception, in which Babylon, the great harlot, also found herself.