Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Then. At the day of judgment. The just and the reprobate know each other’s condition. Lu. 16:20.—Labours. Defrauding them of their wages, (Leviticus 19:13) or plundering them. Septuagint “despised, ( Calmet.) or frustrated his labours.” Bible.—Worldlings deride those who strive to obtain the goods of eternity, ( Calmet.) and think they labour in vain. Worthington.
Verse 3. Within. Or among themselves.—Repenting. In despair.—Reproach. We diverted ourselves with turning them to ridicule. Calmet.—This change of sentiment ( Bible.) proceeds not from the love of virtue, and is useless. Worthington.
Verse 5. God. As they styled themselves truly, through the merits of Christ. Calmet. 2:18.
Verse 6. Understanding in not in the Rom. ( Calmet.) or the Alex. copy. Bible.—Some read “of justice.” Ephes. 5:11. Calmet.
Verse 9. Post. Septuagint “fame.”—
Fama malum quo non aliud velocius ullum.
Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo. Æn. iv.
Verse 13. Virtue. How quickly passes the life of man, (Proverbs 30:18) and how few leave behind them a good reputation! Many of those whose actions are recorded in history, were falsely admired, ( Calmet.) and indeed the scourges of mankind. Bible.
Verse 14. Such, and so forth This is not in the original; but supplied to complete the sense, ( Calmet.) as otherwise the following remarks would seem to be the confession of the damned in hell, ( Bible.) or before the judgment-seat. Castro.—The past time is used to shew the certainty of the event. Worthington.
Verse 15. Dust. Septuagint Psalms 1:4. Lit. “like the tender beard, ( Bible.) or wool.” Lanugo. Calmet.
Verse 16. Care. Lit. “thought.” Bible.—God thinks and provides for them.
Verse 17. Crown. The Scripture thus represents the glory of the blessed, because there is nothing more desirable than independence. But the happiness of the elect will be to throw their crowns at the foot of God’s throne, (Revelation 7:10. Calmet.) in whom they find every advantage. Saint Augustine ser. i. de vit. apost.
Verse 18. Armour. Septuagint “he will take zeal, his complete armour.” Bible.—See Isaiah 59:17. Ephesians 6:16. Calmet.—The misery of the damned is unchangeable. Worthington.
Verse 21. Unwise. “As we have sinned in all, we are wounded by every thing.” Saint Gregory hom. 25. Ev.
Verse 22. Directly. Straight to the mark. Menochius.
Verse 23. Casting. He alludes to the ballista, used to throw stones. Joshua 10:11. These comparisons shew the power of God over all nature. Calmet.
See Proverbs 14:14.
Greek like foam chased to thinness: or, as thin foam chased.
Most Greek authorities read hoar frost: some authorities, perhaps rightly, a spider’s web.