Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. If. This proves free will. To become truly wise, we must desire it with the same avidity as a miser seeks for riches. Worthington.—We must also pray, (verse 3) with humility (verse 2) to God, the giver of wisdom. verse 6. Every science which has not Him for the beginning and end, is vain and dangerous. Calmet.
Verse 7. Salvation. Prot. “sound wisdom.” Tushiya ( Bible.) often occurs in this book, and is very comprehensive, ( Calmet.) denoting the substance ( Bible.) of goodness, virtue, and so forth Job 5:12.
Verse 8. Justice. In his servants. Calmet.—God gives them grace to follow virtue, ( Bible.) and protects them from every danger. Calmet.
Verse 12. Things. The danger of such company for young people is very great, as the heart is misled by the understanding, ( Calmet.) if it do not itself shew the way to error. Bible.—We all possess a fund of corruption. Calmet.
Verse 14. Evil. These signs prove whom we ought to shun. Saint Augustine depicts his own conduct before his conversion in the darkest colours. Calmet.
Verse 16. Strange. Idolatress, (Grot.) or rather the abandoned woman, whether married or not. Calmet.—This description, as well as the former, guards us against heretics, who leave the right way of the Catholic Church, (verse 13) and devise perverse doctrines of rebellion against princes, and so forth as if faith alone were sufficient. By this faith, Prot. do not mean any article which all must believe, but only that each one must be convinced that he himself is just, and will be saved. Like the strange woman, they preach a comfortable doctrine, and use sweet speeches. Romans 16:18. Their conversion is a very difficult matter, (verse 19) because they are condemned by their own judgment, (Titus 3:11) and will not admit of the ordinary means of instruction in the Church. Worthington.
Verse 17. Youth. Her husband, whom she married young when love is more lasting. This increases her guilt. It may also signify her father, or preceptor.
Verse 18. God. The law forbids adultery, and all impurities. Deuteronomy 23:17. Leviticus 20:10. Both the parties, guilty of adultery, were punished with death. Calmet.
Verse 19. Life. A sincere conversion is so rare among people once addicted to impurity, ( Bible.) which resembles a deep pit. Calmet.—This illness is hardly removed. Menochius.
Verse 21. Earth. Happily. This was the wish of the carnal Jews. But the more enlightened raise their thoughts to heaven.
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).