THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
I will make you a fortified barrier for these individuals. If they transgress, I will discipline them, elevating you above adversity.
Jeremiah 15:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And I will make thee to this people as a strong wall of brass: and they shall fight against thee, and shall not prevail: for I am with thee to save thee, and to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
וּנְתַתִּ֜יךָ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה לְחוֹמַ֤ת נְחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ בְּצוּרָ֔ה וְנִלְחֲמ֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְלֹא־י֣וּכְלוּ לָ֑ךְ כִּֽי־אִתְּךָ֥ אֲנִ֛י לְהוֹשִֽׁיעֲךָ֥ וּלְהַצִּילֶ֖ךָ נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
Thus declares the Lord: If you turn back, I will turn you, and you shall stand in My presence. If you distinguish the precious from the worthless, you will be as My spokesperson. I will make you a fortified wall of bronze to this people; they shall fight against you but will not prevail, for I am with you to deliver you and to uproot you, says the Lord. I will rescue you from the grasp of the wicked and redeem you from the hand of the strong. It is clear that these words were not voiced by Jerusalem but by a prophet; to him, the Lord responds, If you lead the people to repentance, I will turn your sorrow into joy, and you shall stand before My face as the angels do before God, always in His sight. If you distinguish the valuable from the worthless, you will be like My spokesperson.
Read more (152 words)
Do not think, He says, that there is no reward for good deeds: if through your words you separate some of My saints from the sinners, you shall be as My mouth and bound to uphold My commandments. For they shall imitate you, rather than you imitating them. Do not be afraid, and do not say, Why is my suffering everlasting, and my wound severe and incurable, so that I despair of healing? For I will make you a wall of bronze, sturdy and strong, so that you may withstand the enemy with all strength. You will have Me as your helper, and I will rescue you from the wicked or deadly, and redeem you either through My blood or through My assistance for now. Let us observe how the word of a teacher is rewarded when it successfully guides someone away from error and draws them out from among the sinners.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Jer 1:18For behold I have made thee this day a fortified city, and a pillar of iron, and a wall of brass, over all the land, to the kings of Juda, to the princes thereof, and to the priests, and to the people of the land.
- Jer 1:19And they shall fight against them, and shall not prevail: for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.
- Ps 124 (123):1
- Ps 124 (123):3
- Acts 18:9And the Lord said to Paul in the night, by a vision: Do not fear, but speak. And hold not thy peace,
- Acts 18:10Because I am with thee and no man shall set upon thee, to hurt thee. For I have much people in this city.
- Ezek 3:9I have made thy face like an adamant and like flint: fear them not, neither be thou dismayed at their presence: for they are a provoking house.
- Jer 1:8Be not afraid at their presence: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.