Jeremiah 15:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, it is more fitting to understand this as the words of the prophet himself, a holy man who abstained from the company of the wicked and did not dwell in the shadows of the gamblers, either fearing the heavy hand of God or rather proclaiming his disassociation from the ungodly. He declares, "I sat alone," as it is written: "I will not associate with empty vanities, nor will I join those who break the law." I will not sit with the unrighteous (Psalms 25:4-5), and elsewhere it is said: "I am solitary, I alone come" (Psalms 140:10). From Your presence, He says, I remain in solitude—out of reverence for You, always anticipating the warning of Your hand. I would not find myself in the company of jesters, but I embraced my bitterness to prepare for future joy. I found no relief in my suffering, but was burdened by constant trials, leaving me with no hope of a remedy. My adversaries triumphed, and my injury grew worse. Yet I found solace in knowing that it was like deceptive and fleeting waters. Just as flowing waters emerge and vanish, so too do the assaults of enemies, with Your divine assistance, eventually dissipate. Oh, if only the Lord would grant us the strength to refrain from joining the assembly of those who revel in the moment, disregarding the future—and not to succumb to adversaries, but always to be in awe of God's judgment, and to declare with the prophet, "I sit alone, for my spirit is troubled." Therefore, let not the wise find joy in this time, but let it be the hidden fellowship of the playful that rejoices; as for me, to cling to God is good, to trust in Him, to endure insults, and to await the decree of my Judge—a decree that, when the time comes, will ultimately demonstrate that all sorrow and bitterness vanish like rushing waters.

The prophet Jeremiah subtly refers to this misguided and deceitful baptism by asking, ‘Why do those who insult me persecute me? My ulcer is hard, how shall I be healed? It has become to me like false water, which cannot be trusted’ (Jeremiah 15:18). Through the prophet, the Holy Spirit points to this deceptive water, which lacks integrity. What is this spurious and misleading water? Clearly, it is that which falsely represents baptism and misleads grace under a guise of faith, suggesting that one baptized outside the Church by unrighteous belief might also receive remission of sins, and thus could be granted the Holy Spirit without the laying on of hands after conversion. Therefore, one standing outside the Church might obtain both or, conversely, acquire neither. The source and authorized means of absolution granted in baptism are manifest and defined within the Church. The Lord bestowed the power to bind on earth so that it may be recognized in heaven initially to Peter, upon whom He established the Church, thereby emphasizing its unity (Matthew 16:19). After His Resurrection, He extended this authority to all the Apostles, declaring, ‘As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And this I said, I will blow, and I said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: by him that remiteth sins, they shall be remitted; and by him that keepeth, they shall be kept’ (John 20:21-23). Consequently, it is evident that baptism and absolution are only validly performed within the Church by its appointed leaders, grounded in the law of the Gospel and the Lord's ordinance; outside the Church, nothing can be bound or allowed, as there is no one present with the authority to bind or permit. We affirm, dear brother, that all matters are ordained from above according to a known law and a specific structure, asserting that none may claim what belongs to bishops and priests without rightful authority. The examples of Koreus, Dathan, and Abiron illustrate this truth; despite their attempts to usurp the priestly authority contrary to Moses and high priest Aaron, their actions went unpunished. Additionally, Aaron’s sons, who offered unauthorized fire on the altar, faced immediate judgment from the Lord. Such retribution similarly awaits those who introduce foreign elements in false baptisms, and the divine judgment will enact vengeance upon heretics who unlawfully engage in acts solely entrusted to the Church.