The Riddle of Epicurus

Epicurus was Philosopher that lived from 341BC to 240BC.  He taught that death was the end for the body and the soul, and therefore should not be feared, that the universe is eternal, and that events in this world are based on the 'motions of atoms". In essence, he did not believe in a Divine Creator, or any gods for that matter. He was best known for the following riddle:

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

In order to find the answer to the riddle, we need to examine the god of Epicurus. Epicurus was a philosopher, a lover of man's wisdom, and he believed that there was no greater power in the world than the wisdom of man. In his riddle he speaks of god, but he did not believe there was a Creator, so why would he write a riddle about someone he did not believe existed. It's like writing philosophy about Santa Clause. So if Epicurus is not talking about the God of Eternity, what god is he speaking of? What was his framework for 'god'? According to his philosophy the greatest power in the world is the wisdom of man, which is authored by man. Therefore man is also the highest authority and thus, his own god. In this riddle, the god Epicurus is speaking of is his own intellect, and when you look at this riddle in light of what Epicurus considered to be god, it makes perfect sense:

Is man willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then it is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

The answers to all of these questions make perfect sense when you look at his riddle in light of what his god was. Man as his own god will self destruct every time, and has no answer for evil. The only way for man to eliminate evil is for man to eliminate man.


The God of Eternity paid for all evil in Jesus Christ. And in His own time, according to His own purpose, He will end all evil as well.

"1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."