Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. By them. that is the tongue and the lips, mentioned in the last verse of the foregoing chapter. Challoner.—We cannot resist of ourselves, and must therefore pray to God. Worthington.—We have need of a good master to correct our eagerness in speaking. Calmet.
Verse 2. Ignorances, and so forth That is, that the scourges and discipline of wisdom may restrain the ignorances, that is, the slips and offences which are usually committed by the tongue and the lips. Challoner.—The tongue is a restless evil. Jam. 3:8.
Verse 3. Over me. The noblest motives are not always proposed first.
Verse 5. Eyes. God never makes such presents, but he permits us to fall in punishment of former transgressions. Calmet.—Coveting. Greek “from thy servants all giant-like affection. Vain hopes and desires remove from me; and thou shalt possess him who wishes to serve thee without ceasing.” Grabe. Bible.
Verse 6. Foolish, (infrunitæ) is used in this sense by Seneca. Calmet.—Greek has not this epithet. The title, “instruction of the mouth,” follows, ( Bible.) to verse 20. Calmet.
Verse 10. Them. Greek Alex. has only (9.) “swearing, (10) and have not a custom of naming the Most High.” Other editions have “the holy one.” Bible.—Rash and false oaths are forbidden. Jeremiah 4. Matthew 5. Worthington.
Verse 11. Sin. “No swearing is secure.” Saint Augustine—Slaves were forced to confess the truth by torments; free-men took an oath; and priests gave their word. Plut. Prob.
Verse 13. Dissemble. Greek “despise.” He will be punished, at least, by God. Calmet.
Verse 14. In vain. Without a design to execute, (Grot.) or through levity, or rather falsely. Exodus 23:1. Deuteronomy 5:11.
Verse 15. Opposite. Or equal. Greek “clothed with death.” He denotes blasphemy, (Leviticus 24:14) or the invitation to idolatry, (Deuteronomy 13:1) or calumny. verse 17. Leviticus 19:12. Calmet.—In oaths God is called to witness, as being unable to deceive. But blasphemy attributes to him or to others what does not belong to them. Worthington.
Verse 16. Merciful. Or true believers, Assideans. 1 Maccabees 2:42.
Verse 17. Of sin. A Hebrew idiom, to imply something criminal. Those who have laid aside shame, are capable of any wickedness.
Verse 18. Men. Treat thy parents with no less regard, ( Calmet.) even though thou shouldst be exalted in dignity. Lyr.—Thus thou wilt be rewarded, ( Calmet.) of if thou transgress, wilt be brought to judgment. Bossuet.—Greek “thou shalt sit,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 19. Nativity. Wish not that thou hadst not been born of such parents. Grot.
Verse 20. Life. For who will admonish him?
Verse 21. Two. The first is a passionate man, (verse 22) the second a libertine, (verse 23) and the third an adulterer. verse 25. Calmet.
Verse 22. Hot. With any furious passion, (Vat.) or anger, ( Calmet.) avarice, ( Worthington.) or lust. Menochius.
Verse 23. Mouth. Greek “body.”—Fire. Shameful disease will come upon him. Calmet. 19:3. His brutal passion will never be satiated. Calmet.
Verse 24. Sweet. He is not delicate in his choice. Bible.—All obstacles increase his irregular desires. Proverbs 9:17. Calmet.
Verse 27. And. Greek “the eyes of men are his dread.” Bible.—Such is the folly of the adulterer!
Verse 30. And he. Greek “and where,” and so forth He shall be stoned. Leviticus 20:10. Calmet.—Taken. Greek subjoins (verse 32.) “so,” and so forth Bible.—If carnal adultery be thus punished, how much more will spiritual adultery, schism, and apostacy from the Catholic religion? Worthington.
Verse 38. Shall. Greek “that thou shouldst be taken under his protection.” Bible.
The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
Verse 28 is omitted by the best authorities.