The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Isaiah 33:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And there shall be faith in thy times: riches of salvation, wisdom and knowledge: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

Douay-Rheims

וְהָיָה֙ אֱמוּנַ֣ת עִתֶּ֔יךָ חֹ֥סֶן יְשׁוּעֹ֖ת חָכְמַ֣ת וָדָ֑עַת יִרְאַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא אוֹצָרֽוֹ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

4 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 5 commentaries

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

In our treasure lies salvation, that is, in vigilance. Let no one lose hope or succumb to fear. Above all, we must prioritize the foremost of virtues, ensuring we do no harm to others and refrain from envying their blessings; this will lead us to tranquility and goodwill towards all. The prophet does not declare that Zion has little righteousness, but rather that he will fill Zion with justice and equity. If you practice righteousness only among the virtuous and neglect those outside that circle, then the essence of justice is compromised. Just as you are confident in the wealth that awaits you, even if it remains unseen, so too are there abundant riches in hidden treasures prepared for your salvation, hidden from view to prevent anyone from casting aspersions on them.

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Therefore, do not perceive yourself as lacking, even if the streets are silent regarding your worth. Is there not glory now? Indeed, there is. Who is more esteemed than the apostles, or more revered than the prophets, whose names resonate throughout the world? Yet, He is reluctant to reveal glory to those who aspire to competition until their appointed time arrives. They might argue that had they witnessed the glory, they would be more driven to strive. On the contrary, such a sight might inhibit them from recognizing the loftier ambitions laid before them. Wisdom and direction. However, Aquila and Symmachus describe it in terms of knowledge. The fear of the Lord constitutes your treasure. In Scripture, the fear of God is equated with truth. The spirit and piety have departed; who has withdrawn them? Punishments. These treasures of truth safeguard the truth diligently and steadfastly, for the fear of God in a person enables them to accomplish great things.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Once again, the holy ones call out and hasten to honor the Savior of all, God, who resides in the highest, whether in heaven or within His creation. His height is defined by the profound spiritual grandeur of diverse virtues, and thus they extol God, marveling at Zion, which represents the Church of Christ, filled with justice and righteousness. The earthly Jerusalem lacks this splendor, having not received the righteousness that comes from God the Father, that is, Christ Himself. In contrast, the Church of the Gentiles, the true and spiritual Zion, is abundant in judgment and righteousness. Here, judgment refers to fairness in all matters, for it is customary for the saints to live in accordance with reason and law, delighting in the revelation of the gospel.

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Consequently, they wonder how the Israelites, despite receiving the divine law intended to guide them, ultimately faced destruction because they rejected God's righteousness in pursuit of their own, failing to adhere to God's decree: the culmination of the law is Christ, bringing righteousness to all who believe (Romans 10:3, 4). As seen in Hebrews 9:10, when the new proclamation emerged and truth was unveiled, it was only fitting that the old patterns be set aside and the shadows rendered ineffective. However, obstinate Israel, intent on conforming to the law and remaining under Moses' directives, believed they were honoring God, yet they found themselves taken captive by their adversaries due to the dishonor brought by prolonged disobedience. Thus, they fell prey to the law. For us, who are believers beyond the Gentiles, the law once conveyed by angels through the mediation of Moses has become a reservoir of salvation. In it lies wisdom and godliness toward the Lord. The Law of Moses loudly proclaims the mystery of Christ, and as we thoughtfully delve into the Scriptures, we discover, as if within shadows, glimpses of the life-giving gospel. Thus, the Savior addressed the Jewish people, saying, ‘If ye would believe Moses, believe ye also me, for of me he wrote’ (John 5:46). Therefore, the law stands as a repository of truth for those who do not merely regard the shadow but seek to uncover the splendor of the truth itself.

John Cassian

5th centuryChurch Father

Thus, anyone grounded in the essence of perfect love will undoubtedly ascend to a profound sense of reverence, which arises not from a fear of punishment or a longing for rewards, but from deep affection. This form of reverence resembles the way a son regards a compassionate father, a brother views his sibling, a friend cherishes a companion, or a spouse honors their partner. In this context, we do not dread punishment or blame but are instead concerned about even the smallest slight against love, remaining in a constant state of trepidation that through any action or even a mere word, we might diminish the ardor of love directed toward us.

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The prophet Isaiah beautifully depicted the nobility of this reverence when he proclaimed, ‘Abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord shall be your treasure.' He could not have articulated the significance and value of this reverence more clearly, for it is through this fear that the treasures of our salvation, which lie in divine wisdom and understanding, are safeguarded. This call is extended by prophetic voices, not to sinners, but to saints. In essence, those who hold this reverence towards the Lord lack nothing in their pursuit of perfection.

Those who are grounded in the fullness of love will undoubtedly experience a profound reverence that arises not from fear of punishment or the longing for rewards, but from deep affection. This reverence is akin to the way a child regards a parent, a sibling, a friend, or a spouse; it is not driven by the fear of retribution or condemnation, but by the anxiety over even the slightest diminishment of love. We remain ever cautious, not only through our actions but also in our words, lest we diminish that passionate love. The prophet Isaiah beautifully illustrated the nobility of such a reverence, stating, "The riches of salvation are wisdom and understanding; the fear of the Lord, this is his treasure" (Isaiah 33:6).

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His words highlight the invaluable nature of this reverence, which safeguards the treasures of our salvation found in divine wisdom and insight. It is not the sinful who are called to this reverence, but rather the holy, as the Psalmist declares, "Fear the Lord, all His saints, for there is no lack in those who fear Him" (Psalms 33:10). This indicates that those who embody the fear of the Lord lack nothing in their perfection. The tormenting fear mentioned by the apostle John is clearly articulated in his teaching: "He that fears is imperfect in love, because in fear there is torment" (1 John 4:18). Thus, we see a significant distinction between the fear that is complete, which serves as a fountain of wisdom and understanding, and the imperfect fear which is noted as "the beginning of wisdom" (Psalms 110:10), one that brings torment and is ultimately expelled from the hearts of those who have reached the fullness of love. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). If fear is indeed the precursor to wisdom, what then is its perfection, if not love for Christ? This love embodies the fear of perfect love, transforming it from merely the beginning to the treasure of wisdom and understanding. Therefore, we recognize two kinds of reverence: one belonging to novices still bound by a servile fear, as expressed by the prophet: "The slave honors his master" (Malachi 1:6). Similarly, in the Gospel, the Lord proclaims, "I no longer call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing" (John 15:15), emphasizing that "the slave does not remain in the house forever" (John 8:35).

Leo the Great

5th centuryChurch Father

In a world abundant with various riches and material pleasures, individuals who are wealthy often find themselves entangled in their desires. The accumulation of worldly possessions does not bring true joy but rather leads to dissatisfaction. Conversely, those who contemplate lofty ideals rather than earthly concerns (Colossians 3:2) pursue not the fleeting but the everlasting, securing a treasure that is both safe and enduring, as the prophet proclaimed: Our wealth and glory, wisdom, knowledge, and mercy from the Lord will come; they are the treasures of righteousness. For those who seek such blessings, even temporal riches can be transformed into spiritual gifts through divine grace.

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By generously sharing their surplus to assist those in need, they build up for themselves an everlasting reserve: what they set aside for charity cannot be squandered; and where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Therefore, it is wise to invest in this kind of wealth for ourselves and to trust that it will not be lost.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.