Книга пророка Иеремии, Глава 3, стих 3. Толкования стиха

THE DANGER OF PRIDE. AUGUSTINE: To move away from that one simple and single good toward this multitude of pleasures, and to draw near to the love of the world and earthly corruptions, is what going whoring away from the Lord consists in. It is to such a one that he cries out, “You have acquired the face of a whore and become totally shameless.” SERMON 142.2.

ADMONITION FOR CHASTENESS. JEROME: No, a widow must take every precaution not to overstep by an inch the bounds of chastity. For if she once oversteps them and breaks through the modesty that becomes a matron, she will soon riot in every kind of excess. So much so that the prophet’s words shall be true of her, “You have a whore’s forehead, you refuse to be ashamed.” LETTER 123.9.

BEWARE OF HARLOTRY. JEROME: When they go out, they do their best to attract notice and with nods and winks encourage troops of young fellows to follow them. Of each and all of these the prophet’s words are true, “You have a whore’s forehead. You refuse to be ashamed.” Their robes have but a narrow purple stripe, it is true. And their headdress is somewhat loose, so as to leave the hair free. LETTER 22.13.

INFIDELITY AS HARLOTRY. CHRYSOSTOM: And this again is the peculiarity of harlots that they are his who gives the gold. Even if he is a slave or a gladiator, or any person whatever, yet if he offers their hire they receive him. But the free, even should they be nobler than all, they do not accept without the money. . . . For that shamelessness makes harlots, hear the prophet saying, “You were shameless toward all. You had a harlot’s countenance.” This may be said to the covetous also, “You were shameless toward all,” not toward these or those, but “toward all.” ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 15.7.

APPLY DISCIPLINE SLOWLY. CHRYSOSTOM: What then is one to do? . . . We ought not to apply punishment merely to the scale of the offense. Rather, keep in view the disposition of the sinner so that, while wishing to mend what is torn, you do not make the rent worse. Because you do not wish, in your zealous endeavors to restore what is fallen, to make the ruin greater. Weak and careless characters are addicted for the most part to the pleasures of the world. If they have the opportunity to be proud of their birth and position, they may yet, if gently and gradually brought to repent of their errors, be delivered, partially at least, if not perfectly, from the evils by which they are possessed. But if anyone were to inflict the discipline all at once he would deprive them of this slight chance of amendment. When the soul has been forced to put off shame, it lapses into a callous condition. It neither yields to kindly words, nor bends to threats nor is susceptible of gratitude but becomes far worse than that city that the prophet reproached, saying, “You had the face of a harlot, refusing to be ashamed before all men.” ON THE PRIESTHOOD 2.4.

THE AIM OF JEREMIAH’S ACCUSATION. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Accusation is censure of wrongdoers. . . . Of this help the divine Instructor made use by Jeremiah, saying, “You have a prostitute’s forehead. You were shameless toward all. You did not call me to the house, I who am your father, and Lord of your virginity.” “And a fair and graceful harlot skilled in enchanted potions.” With consummate art, after applying to the virgin the disgraceful name of whoredom, he at once calls her back to an honorable life by filling her with shame. CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 1.9.