In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that God did not forbid Adam from eating from the Tree of Life out of fear that Adam would become equal to Him. God cannot fear, for He is eternal, almighty, and beyond competition.

The prohibition came out of divine mercy and wisdom, not fear or jealousy. God did not want man to live eternally in a state of sin, because sin separates humanity from Him—the Source of Life. Scripture says: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Thus, God prevented Adam from eating from the tree after the fall so that he would not live forever in corruption.

The Pope notes that God later renewed this promise in the Book of Revelation: “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). This shows that the Tree of Life symbolizes eternal life through victory over sin in Christ.

Therefore, God’s action was not out of fear, but because eternal life cannot coexist with sin. Eternal life is a gift for those reconciled with God, not for those still separated from Him by sin.

✝️ Spiritual Lessons:

• God fears nothing; His actions come from love and mercy.

• Eternal life cannot exist with sin.

• The Tree of Life was withheld to protect humanity, not to punish it.

• Christ restored access to the Tree of Life through faith and victory.

• Overcoming sin leads to eternal life in paradise.

For better translation support, please contact the center.