THEOSISJerome of Stridon
(vv. 7-9) In contrast to our translation, which states, Because ye exceeded the Gentiles which are round about you, Simmachus interprets it as, Because the majority of you were among the Gentiles which are adjacent to you; Aquila, in his second version, phrases it as, Because ye were counted among the Gentiles surrounding you; and the Seventy render it, Because the Gentiles that are around you served as your starting-point. The implication here is that either Jerusalem, through its transgressions, outshone all its neighboring nations, or the reference to majority pertains not to the people of Israel but rather to the larger group of surrounding nations, who perhaps experienced conversion through the Israelites.
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Alternatively, the Gentiles, whom the Israelites were called to instruct in righteousness, may have formed the foundation for their actions. Thus, the question arises: why should I argue that you have not adhered to my commandments or fulfilled my decrees when you have even surpassed all the neighboring nations in your wrongdoing, failing to observe what they, guided by the natural law inscribed on their hearts, often practiced? Therefore, I will not issue judgement through angels or any intermediary; rather, I will personally administer My judgments before all, judgments that I have not imposed in the past nor shall I impose again. In mentioning judgments, He emphasizes the fairness of His decisions, lest it be perceived that His anger exceeds the appropriate response to their iniquity. His actions toward Jerusalem have been unlike those towards any other nation: for the servant who knows his master's will yet does not act accordingly shall face severe consequences (Luke 12:47), and the strong shall face torment (Prem. 6:6). He affirms that such things will not occur again. It is rightly said, I will do no more of such kind. For following the crucifixion of Christ, He will enact far more severe consequences, as it is a grave offense not only to honor idols, for which they were previously punished, but to crucify the Son of God.