In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the different meanings of “good” and “evil” as presented in the Holy Bible, showing their spiritual and theological dimensions and how believers should understand and discern them in daily life.
First Meaning: Good is righteousness, Evil is sin The Pope begins with the clear meaning: good means righteousness and obedience to God’s commandments, while evil means sin and disobedience. He cites Deuteronomy 30:
“I have set before you good and evil, life and death; therefore, choose life, that you may live.” He also refers to the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” in Genesis, symbolizing knowledge of truth and falsehood, right and wrong, righteousness and iniquity.
Call to Repentance: From Ezekiel 18, His Holiness explains that when a person turns away from evil and repents, God accepts him mercifully. Good is the way of life, while evil leads to death, and each person is free to choose.
Second Meaning: Evil as affliction, Good as God’s blessings The Pope then shows another biblical meaning where “evil” refers to trials and hardships, not moral wrongdoing. “Good” refers to God’s blessings and kindness. He gives the example of Job, who said:
“Shall we accept good from God, and not accept evil?” meaning, we accept God’s blessings; why not also accept the trials He allows for our spiritual benefit?
Other Scriptural Examples: He mentions 2 Samuel 17:14, where “evil” came upon Absalom—referring to his misfortunes, not moral evil.
Spiritual Essence: Good and evil are not measured by appearances but by spiritual intent and divine purpose. What seems evil may in fact be for our good, as God uses difficulties to refine and strengthen faith. The believer thus learns to trust God’s wisdom in both blessings and trials.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Biblical Terms – Good and Evil
In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the different meanings of “good” and “evil” as presented in the Holy Bible, showing their spiritual and theological dimensions and how believers should understand and discern them in daily life.
First Meaning: Good is righteousness, Evil is sin
The Pope begins with the clear meaning: good means righteousness and obedience to God’s commandments, while evil means sin and disobedience. He cites Deuteronomy 30:
Call to Repentance:
From Ezekiel 18, His Holiness explains that when a person turns away from evil and repents, God accepts him mercifully. Good is the way of life, while evil leads to death, and each person is free to choose.
Second Meaning: Evil as affliction, Good as God’s blessings
The Pope then shows another biblical meaning where “evil” refers to trials and hardships, not moral wrongdoing. “Good” refers to God’s blessings and kindness.
He gives the example of Job, who said:
Other Scriptural Examples:
He mentions 2 Samuel 17:14, where “evil” came upon Absalom—referring to his misfortunes, not moral evil.
Spiritual Essence:
Good and evil are not measured by appearances but by spiritual intent and divine purpose. What seems evil may in fact be for our good, as God uses difficulties to refine and strengthen faith. The believer thus learns to trust God’s wisdom in both blessings and trials.
For better translation support, please contact the center.