Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Of death, is not in Septuagint During life the just are protected by God, (Lu. 12:7) and still more in death. This passage is very applicable to martyrs. Calmet.—Temporal death is to the just the road to happiness, where they shall not incur damnation, or the torment of death. Though the martyrs seem to be utterly destroyed, they pass to joys eternal and unspeakable. Worthington.
Verse 2. Die. In this the wicked are not under a mistake; but they err when they suppose that the just shall be no more. If the hopes of the pious where confined to this world, they would be the most miserable of all. 1 Corinthians 15:19. Calmet.
Verse 6. Holocaust. The sufferings ( Menochius.) which they have voluntarily endured, cause them to be pleasing to God. Bible. Zechariah 13:9.—Time of judgment, or of death. Calmet.—Septuagint “at the time of their visitation, they shall shine, and,” &chapter 5:7. Matthew 13:43. Bible. Zechariah 12:6.
Verse 8. Judge. All the just shall approve of God’s condemning the wicked. Worthington.—They shall be invested with power, (Revelation 2:26. Matthew 19:28) which, like that of Christ, will be of a spiritual nature, ( Bible.) and will appear most terrible at the last day. Matthew 28:18. Revelation 19:6. Calmet.
Verse 9. Elect. Septuagint add, “and a visitation for his saints.” Charity secures both faith and hope; which, without it, are unavailing to happiness. Bible.—Those who have the virtue of hope, will await the completion of God’s promises.
Verse 12. Foolish. Dissolute, as the sequel shews. Proverbs 9:13. Romans 1:26. The family of the wicked imitate his conduct, and become his torment. Calmet.—This is often the case. In the moral sense, the sensuality and works of the impious are corrupt. Worthington.
Verse 13. Barren. The Jews deemed this a reproach. But it is better than to have children by a crime. Menochius.—Fruit. Her good works shall serve instead of children for her glory, at the hour of death.
Verse 16. Perfection. Lit. “shall be in consummation,” or wholly destroyed. Bible.—They shall not come to age, or Septuagint “initiated.” The pagans excluded the base-born from their mysteries, as the Church does from holy orders; and experience shews, that the fruits of adultery are often miserable, ( Calmet.) and while they imitate their parents, they can have no hope. verse 18.
Verse 18. Trial. Lit. “of knowing” ( Bible.) the works of all. The crime of adulterers is not imputed to their offspring; and it sometimes happens, that the children of saints are cast away.