Jeremiah 15:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He lamented, why was I born to constantly argue with lawless individuals, challenging them, denouncing their transgressions, while holding no debts or obligations? My vigor is diminished by those who bow before me— in other words, I am wearied and humiliated, subjected to endless taunts. I possess none of the things that incite all this contention; I am free from causing growth. He speaks of those who accuse, those who revile, those who mock, and those who curse. Not every spirit can bear such a burden, just as Job, who was untouched by these trials until later.

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See Job 3:2

Who among them does not impose their own standards upon His existence as it pertains to His birth, suffering, and resurrection? It is not surprising that, in the reality of the flesh He took on, Christ laments the state of His mother, especially when we consider the scriptures which say, O you who love me, I was like one who gathers the harvest, like one who gathers the ripe grapes from the abundant vine, and like one who does not take the firstfruits of the harvest.

Furthermore, to clarify that the lament of anguish reflects the Word of God, we see that it is expressed afterward by saying, ‘Alas for me, my soul, for the one who returns from the earth is lost’ (Micah 7:1-2). This is not to imply a division among persons as the wicked assume, but rather to show that the same Son of God speaks in harmony with both the flesh and the divine Word. I have not received an increase, nor has anyone contributed to my store; all curse me. In the Septuagint, it is rendered as: I did not receive favor, and none offered me favor; and in Theodotion, I was not owed, and no one owed me. This conveys that there was no one worthy enough to receive anything from me; no one provided for me, thereby leaving me a debtor only to myself. Or, I did not receive favor and no one offered me; for none were prepared to accept as much as I was willing to give. Moreover, no one did me a favor; for the salvation of creation ultimately benefits the Creator.

Alternatively, I was not owed, and no one owed me anything; nobody contributed more than I was ready to receive, nor made themselves indebted to me in any way. The phrase ‘and to me no one owed’ carries the implication: how could anyone owe interest on a debt who has not proven worthy to benefit from my generosity? They all curse me, He asserts. For who among the heretics and misguided souls does not speak ill of Christ, holding beliefs that are twisted, and blaspheming in ever more perverse ways?

"My strength is weakened by those who bring me low." Rather than stating I did not benefit, the Syrian interpreter conveys it as "I did not avail." Thus, the Prophet asserts, I have not borrowed from anyone, nor lent to anyone; yet I face enmity from many, who incessantly speak ill and curse; for advice, more than anything, often leads to obstinacy. The Greek rendering should be interpreted in this way: I am deserving of sorrow, having been brought into this world in vain, for I have been of no benefit to anyone, and I myself have not gained anything from others; I receive only oaths from those who hear these prophecies.