Song of Songs 8:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And who is the one that sanctifies her, if not He who proclaims through the prophet: If your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18)? Therefore, she does not earn her purity through any merits but, when she is made clean, she lives in virtue, provided she continually depends on Him who has cleansed her. This is why Jesus, on whom the cleansed one leans, affirmed to His disciples, ‘Without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Christ has established a new mandate for us, calling us to love one another as He has loved us. This love transforms us into renewed beings, heirs of the New Covenant, and singers of new hymns. This love, dear brethren, also transformed the righteous ones, the patriarchs, and prophets of old, just as it renewed the blessed apostles in due time. It now breathes new life into nations and from the scattered human race across the globe, forges and unites a new people, the body of the new bride of the only begotten Son of God, as mentioned in the Song of Songs: ‘Who is this that is ascending, who has been blessed? (Song of Songs 8:5; LXX). Indeed, she is purified, having undergone renewal—and this renewal comes from what but a new trial?

O Bride of Christ, radiant among women! Who rises up adorned, leaning on her beloved? (Song of Songs 8:5; LXX). For by His radiance, you are enlightened and shining; by His guidance, you are supported, ensuring you do not falter! How beautifully does that Song of Songs celebrate you; your nuptial hymn is filled with love through your joys! (Song of Songs 7:6).

For this reason, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, “If your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). The Church, adorned with these garments through the 'bath of regeneration' (see Titus 3:5), voices in the Song of Songs: "I am dark but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem" (cf. Song of Songs 1:4). Dark due to the fallen human nature, yet lovely because of grace; dark because it is made up of sinners, lovely due to the mystery of faith. Observing these garments, the daughters of Jerusalem expressed their astonishment, asking, "Who is this one clothed in pure whiteness ascending?" She was dark, yet why did she become so radiant? The angels too were filled with wonder when Christ arose from the dead, as the heavenly powers marveled at the Flesh ascending into glory. They exclaimed, "Who is this King of glory?" When some proclaimed, "Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in," others questioned, "Who is this King of glory?" (cf. Ps. 23:7-8). The prophet Isaiah also recounts that the celestial forces, bewildered, asked, "Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bosor, splendid in a white robe?" (Isaiah 63:1).

It is a noble pursuit to ascend to such exalted realms, always looking toward the future. This is illustrated by the virtues, which inquire of the soul, "Who is she that ascends from the wilderness, adorned in white, leaning upon her beloved?" Earlier they remarked: "Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun?" (Song of Songs 6:10). One might add that by leaning upon the Word of God, she was rising. The more perfect will share in the Supper beside Christ, just as John rested against Christ's breast (John 13:23). Thus, she may either lean on Christ or draw close to Him; or, speaking of a marital relationship, she has already been united to Christ and brought into the bridal chamber of the Bridegroom. Since love is sealed by the bond of marriage, the Bridegroom tenderly addresses her: “Under the apple tree I awakened you; there your mother was in labor to bear you, there she who brought you forth endured great pain.” Blessed is the soul that rests beneath a fruitful and fragrant tree! For if Nathanael, who was without deceit (John 1:47) and whom Jesus perceived beneath the fig tree, is deemed good, surely the one awakened by the Bridegroom under the apple tree is also good. For to be awakened is far greater than merely being perceived, especially to be awakened by the Bridegroom. Though He saw Nathanael under the tree, Nathanael did not possess the qualities of a bride, for he approached Christ secretly, in fear of the Jews. That soul was not as radiant as the moon or as brilliant as the sun (Song of Songs 6:10); it lingered in the shadows, while a bride reveals her union in the light of day. Hence, one is beneath the apple tree, while the other remains under the fig tree, for one released the sweet fragrance of her confession, while the other embodied the purity and innocence that lacked fervor. There your mother bore you in anguish—indeed, birth is where we are reborn. Those who bear the image of Christ are born through suffering. Therefore, he states, "My children, for whom I am again in anguish until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19)—for it is the one who receives the spirit of salvation within themselves and shares it with others that truly gives birth.

The most perfect repose is found at Christ's side, just like John, who leaned upon Him (cf. John 13:23). Accordingly, she either rests against Christ's bosom or humbles herself before Him, or, in the context of marriage, is presented to Christ as a bride, led to the altar of the Bridegroom.

She shines forth... as her faith and deeds illuminate her.

For under His divine guidance, she advances toward heaven, and both the ascent and her journey to the Beloved are realized through unwavering faith in Him.

In the Song of Songs 8:5, we read: Who is this ascending, adorned and reliant upon her Brother? They do not simply say white, but whitewashed. For she was dark (Song 1:4), and as the sun had scorched her, so the Bridegroom made her radiant, being Himself the Light and holiness, rendering her bright and sanctified. ‘Who is this ascending one, brightened and established by her Brother?’ For, guided by Him, she rises toward Heaven, embarking on her journey to Him through faith. Following this, the Bridegroom addresses her: Under the apple tree I awoke you; there your mother gave you birth, and there she who bore you is more exalted than you. As we embrace the joyful news of our Savior, we approach Divine Baptism, where we experience new birth, received from our Mother—the Holy Spirit.