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Questions & Answers

Rahab

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Holy Scripture › Rahab

The question

How come Rahab’s lies to the men of the city (Joshua 2) had been accepted while lying is a sin?

The answer

Rahab's lies had been prompted by her strong belief in God’s declared Word. Resistance to God’s will would have been both vain and wicked (Josh 2:9-11). She had manifested a sound practical faith which was praised accordingly (Heb 11:31; James 2:25). Being a Canaanite she was not better taught about the evil of lying. She is certainly guilty of telling lies but may be excused by the pressure of circumstances and by her own past history. However, she certainly shouldn’t be taken as a precedent.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 350 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.