Wisdom of solomon 15:6 - Lovers of evil things, and worthy of such hopes as these, Are both those who do, and those who desire, and those who worship.

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 15:6

What does "Wisdom of solomon 15:6" mean?


Wisdom of Solomon 15:6 speaks about the corrupting influence of idolatry and the moral decay it breeds. Let's break down the verse:

"Lovers of evil things..." This refers to people who have embraced wickedness. They aren't just occasional wrongdoers; they actively love evil. This signifies a deep-seated corruption of their values.

"...and worthy of such hopes as these..." This part is crucial. Their "hopes" are aligned with their evil deeds. In the context of the chapter, the "hopes" likely refer to the expectations they place on their idols - expecting them to grant favors, protection, or prosperity. Because they love evil, their hopes and aspirations are twisted, too. They deserve (are "worthy" of) the false and empty promises offered by their idols.

"Are both those who do, and those who desire, and those who worship." This broadens the scope of condemnation. It's not just the actual idol-makers and worshippers who are implicated, but also:
"Those who do": actively participate in the creation, promotion, and use of idols.
"Those who desire": yearn for the benefits they believe idolatry will bring. This could mean those who passively wish they had an idol or secretly envy those who seem to benefit from idolatry.
"Those who worship": directly engage in the act of idol worship, giving reverence and devotion to false gods.

In essence, the verse is saying that anyone who embraces evil, either through actions, desires, or worship, is equally culpable in the corruption caused by idolatry. Their "hopes" (their expectations and aspirations) are as empty and worthless as the idols they serve because they stem from a love of evil rather than a love of God and righteousness.

Context is Key: The Wisdom of Solomon (also called the Book of Wisdom) is part of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible (accepted as canonical by Catholics and Orthodox Christians but not by Protestants and Jews). This book emphasizes the superiority of wisdom over material things and warns against the dangers of idolatry. The author argues that idolatry is not just a harmless religious practice, but a gateway to moral decay and societal corruption. The entire chapter 15 is a powerful condemnation of idolatry, explaining how foolish and destructive it is to worship inanimate objects instead of the one true God.

Therefore, this particular verse is a strong indictment of those who embrace idolatry in any form. It highlights the corrupting influence of false worship and its connection to a love of evil.

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