THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
You will be brought to disgrace and experience dishonor, for your adversary has captured those who were once held captive within you. See Jeremiah 3:11
Ezekiel 16:52Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Therefore do thou also bear thy confusion, thou that hast surpassed thy sisters with thy sins, doing more wickedly than they: for they are justified above thee, therefore be thou also confounded, and bear thy shame, thou that hast justified thy sisters.
גַּם־אַ֣תְּ ׀ שְׂאִ֣י כְלִמָּתֵ֗ךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר פִּלַּלְתְּ֙ לַֽאֲחוֹתֵ֔ךְ בְּחַטֹּאתַ֛יִךְ אֲשֶׁר־הִתְעַ֥בְתְּ מֵהֵ֖ן תִּצְדַּ֣קְנָה מִמֵּ֑ךְ וְגַם־אַ֥תְּ בּ֙וֹשִׁי֙ וּשְׂאִ֣י כְלִמָּתֵ֔ךְ בְּצַדֶּקְתֵּ֖ךְ אַחְיוֹתֵֽךְ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
This represents the second image following the shipwreck—experiencing shame after falling into sin, avoiding the disgrace that is declared against Jerusalem: "the face of a whore's woman is thine: thou knowest not how to be ashamed" (Jeremiah 3:3). However, the person who suffers from their own conscience endures this affliction willingly in this life to evade the torment of eternal damnation. Our sins can lead others to greater immorality, corrupting our brothers and sisters. To illustrate my point, consider an individual with the highest priestly authority who fails to lead a righteous life, tarnishing the sanctity of their office through sinful actions. When a layperson mirrors their vices, do they not also face corruption?
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Jesus warns, "whoever seduces even one of the least of these shall be cast into the sea with a millstone tied round his neck" (Matthew 18). Likewise, the sisters of Jerusalem, Sodom, and Samaria are deemed righteous not by their own merit but rather when compared to those who are more sinful. Therefore, let shame fall upon you as well, and bear your disgrace, since you have justified your sisters. It is stated, "Be ashamed also, and bear thy shame, because thou hast justified thy sisters." One shame leads to another, from shame to rebuke, from rebuke to correction, from correction to comfort, and from comfort to fear, as the Apostle teaches: "Tribulation makes patience, patience is skill, skill is trust, and trust will not put to shame" (Romans 5:3-5). This assures us of future deliverance, while in the present, sins are atoned through our shame. A similar sentiment appears in the Gospel: "There is shame that leads to death, and there is shame that leads to life." The Holy Spirit similarly urges the wrongdoers in the Psalms: "Let all my enemies be ashamed and be put to shame, let them return back, and let them be ashamed soon" (Psalm 6:11; Psalm 34:15). Furthermore, Scripture advises: "Speak thy iniquities before thy iniquities, that thou mayest be justified" (Isaiah 43:26). It also states: "He that is righteous to himself is a mouthpiece in the first word" (Proverbs 18:17). It is therefore understandable that Jerusalem is called to shame, having sinned so grievously that it justified its sisters, and to which it is later spoken, "Thou and thy daughters shall return to your former state" (v. 55).
Theodoret of Cyrus
I did not merely declare them justified, but you have gone further; for, by mimicking their wrongdoing, you have no grounds for justification, having received both the law and the prophets for guidance. Yet, due to the overflow of your own evil deeds, you seek to rationalize your actions. Consequently, accept the consequences of your actions that have led to harm for others as well. You will face disgrace and dishonor when your sisters rise to justify you. One who does not grasp this truth while in a position of honor will, upon experiencing dishonor, become acutely aware of the honor they once held. Likewise, Jerusalem, failing to recognize the esteem bestowed upon it by God, came to understand its Creator amidst its siege and captivity. Thus, inspired by the beloved David, it cries out, “Cover me from your presence, from the voice of the one who taunts and insults, from the face of the enemy who casts me out” (Psalm 43:16, 17).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Matt 7:1Judge not, that you may not be judged.
- Matt 7:5Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
- Jer 51:51We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: because strangers are come upon the sanctuaries of the house of the Lord.
- Ezek 36:31And you shall remember your wicked ways, and your doings that were not good: and your iniquities, and your wicked deeds shall displease you.
- Ezek 36:32It is not for your sakes that I will do this, saith the Lord God, be it known to you: be confounded, and ashamed at your own ways, O house of Israel.
- Rom 6:21What fruit therefore had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death.
- Gen 38:26But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However he knew her no more.
- Hos 10:6For itself also is carried into Assyria, a present to the avenging king: shame shall fall upon Ephraim, and Israel shall be confounded in his own will.