THEOSISGregory the Great
His sustenance will turn into bitterness within him, as stated in Job 20:14. The nourishment in one’s stomach symbolizes the fullness of earthly delights. Thus, let the hypocrite indulge fully in the accolades showered upon him; let him bask in his exclusivity, for "His bread in his belly shall turn into gall of aspids." This signifies that the abundance of fleeting joy will ultimately result in anguish, and what may have earned him praise in this life will morph into a source of bitterness, representing the temptation of malevolent spirits. For the wicked, who are tainted by the venom of the ancient serpent, will face torment in the eternal flames, bearing this truth with them.
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This ‘bread’ has a pleasant flavor when tasted, yet its end is bitter in the belly, for the sweetness of momentary pleasures fades, leading to destruction.
Moreover, bread can be properly seen as a metaphor for Scripture, which nourishes the soul and guides it in righteous actions. A hypocrite often dedicates himself to studying the Scriptures, not to embody their teachings, but to appear scholarly to others. Therefore, "his bread in his belly will turn into aspid bile," for while he may pride himself on his knowledge of the Divine Law, he transforms the sustenance of life into a toxic draught within himself, meeting his end in condemnation due to the very source intended to bring him life. Frequently, he misinterprets this bread; while attempting to apply doctrinal teachings to himself, he is misled by divine judgment and grasps the meaning of the words incorrectly, falling into heretical error. Thus, like the “gall of aspid,” he ultimately perishes because of the ‘bread,’ finding death in self-righteousness as he fails to see the true life offered in the Word.
Often, the messages of divine admonition fall by the wayside for the hypocrite who neglects to put them into practice; even if he comprehends them, they remain ineffectual in his life. Consequently, the knowledge he acquired but failed to enact may be taken from him. Therefore, it is added: