Bible Commentaries
14

Verse 1

Mouth. He is perfect, James iii. 2.

Verse 3

Envious. Who will neither use his wealth himself, nor bestow it. The true use of riches is to take a sufficiency, and to relieve the poor. (Calmet)

Verse 4

Gathereth. Greek, "taketh from his," &c. (Haydock) --- Such misers are continually derided, but will never be cured, Ecclesiastes ii. 18., and vi. 2. An old proverb says, "The miser doth nothing right but when he dies." (Calmet)

Verse 6

Envieth. By refusing himself the necessaries of life, he rejects God’s gifts, and scandalizes his neighbour. (Worthington)

Verse 7

Wickedness. Persisting covetous till death, as is commonly the case.

Verse 11

Offerings. Make a proper use of what God has bestowed. (Calmet)

Verse 12

The covenant of hell. The decree by which all are to go down to the regions of death, (Challoner) which hell frequently denotes. (Haydock) --- Under the old law, all went down into some part of hell. (Worthington) --- Hath been. Greek, "hath not," &c. We know not when we shall die, though all must taste of death, (Haydock) and therefore we must make haste to do good. (Menochius) --- Shall, or "is, he shall die the death," (Genesis ii. 17.) as the Greek has this sentence, ver. 18. (Haydock) Certo veniunt ordine Parcæ,

Nulli jusso cessare licet. (Sen.[Seneca?] Hercul.)

Verse 15

Sorrows. Greek, "toils," or what thou hast amassed with much care. (Haydock)

Verse 16

Take. Alms-deeds will ensure the remission of sins. This usury is lawful. We must also keep up a good society with our friends. (Calmet) --- Justify. Greek, "sanctify thy soul (17.) for." (Grabe) (Haydock) --- Some read "love," or divert thy soul by lawful amusements. The argument is addressed to Jews and Gentiles. (Calmet)

Verse 18

Fade. Greek, "grow old like a garment. For the covenant from the beginning is, he shall die the death. Like a leaf flourishing on a bushy tree." (Haydock) --- Homer has the same thought, Iliad vi.

Verse 20

End. The fruits of the Spirit are alone immortal, ver. 21., and Galatians vi. 8.

Verse 27

Glory. As under the miraculous pillar, Exodus xxiv. 17. He who shall abide with wisdom shall have nothing to fear. (Calmet)

Verse 32

CHAPTER XIV.