THEOSISGregory the Great
Verse 15. My soul longs for hanging, and my bones for death Job 7:15. MORAL INTERPRETATION 44. What is represented as the ‘soul’ if not the desires of the spirit, and ‘bones’ as the strength of the body? Anything that is ‘suspended’ is certainly elevated above the lower things; thus, the ‘soul desires to hang, so the bones may die,’ because, as the mind's intention ascends, it extinguishes all the vitality of earthly existence. The saints recognize that it is a certain truth that they can never find rest in this life, thus they favor ‘hanging,’ for in relinquishing the pursuit of earthly desires, they elevate their thoughts.
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However, while they are lifted high, they bring death to their bones; for out of love for what surpasses earthly affairs, they bind themselves with the yoke of self-denial in pursuit of virtue, weakening those areas where they once found strength in worldly matters. It is noteworthy how the Apostle Paul illustrated this suspension of the soul, declaring, "Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me" Gal. 2:20. Moreover, he expressed his yearning "to be with Christ" Philippians 1:23, affirming, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" Philippians 1:21. Referring to his knowledge and achievements gained through earthly authority, he likened them to bones within him, stating, "Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; in zeal, a persecutor of the church of God" Philippians 3:5-6. By suspending his soul, he ensured the death of those bones within him, subsequently declaring, "But what things were gain to me, those I have counted loss for Christ" Philippians 3:7. He perceives these very bones as being thoroughly scrutinized and dismantled within him, when he remarks, "For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as refuse, that I may win Christ" Philippians 3:8. The manner in which he hung in lifelessness, having all bones dead within him, is revealed in what follows: "That I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ" Philippians 3:9. By synthesizing his assertions, we have established that the Apostle Paul was suspended in the air and dead to the world. Let us now also demonstrate how the blessed Job, filled with the same Spirit, withdrew from the desires of external life. The text continues: