Clement of Alexandria

In his own words on Sirach

• Sirach 1:21

  The Lord often frequently speaks before he proceeds to act. "For my arrows," he says, "will make an end of them. They shall be consumed with hunger and be eaten by birds; and they will suffer incurable convulsions. I will send the teeth of wild beasts on them, with the rage of serpents creeping on the earth. Out in the open, the sword will make them childless, and in their chambers shall be fear." This does not mean the divine Spirit gets angry, as some believe. He often shows restraint and provides encouragement while showing us what ought to be done. But he also employs this effective method that consists in producing fear in us so that we do not sin. "For the fear of the Lord drives away sins, and he who is without fear cannot be justified," the Scripture says.

  The Instructor Book 1

• Sirach 7:23-24

  Christ the educator of humanity, our divine Logos, with every effort and with every gift of wisdom, has offered to save his children, warning them, reproaching, punishing, accusing, threatening, curing, making promises and granting grace. "With various bridles he keeps within bounds" the excessive outbursts of humanity. In short, the Lord conducts himself with us as we conduct ourselves with our children. "Do you have children? Discipline them," Wisdom exhorts, "and make them obedient from their youth. Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity, and do not show yourself too indulgent with them." Yet, our children, male and female, are what we love the most above anything else.

  The Instructor Book 1

• Sirach 16:11

  The book of Wisdom plainly says, "For mercy and wrath are with him, for he alone is Lord of both." He is Lord of propitiations and pours forth wrath according to the abundance of his mercy. It is the same with his reproof. For the aim of mercy and of reproof is the salvation of those who are reproved. Now, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus is good, the Word will again attest: "For he is kind to the unthankful and the evil," and further, when he says, "Be merciful, as your Father is merciful." Still further also he plainly says, "None is good but my Father, who is in heaven." In addition to these, again he says, "My Father makes his sun to shine on all."

  The Instructor Book 1

• Sirach 22:6

  It is not out of hatred that the Lord chides human beings, for he suffered for us when he could have destroyed us because of our faults. For he is a good Teacher who has the consummate ability to censure with words of rebuke. His words of reproach are like a whip that scourges the sluggish mind of people. And then, once he scourges them, he can move on to exhorting them. For those who are not motivated by praise are spurred on by censure. And those whom censure cannot rouse to salvation, as if they were dead, are by denunciation roused to the truth. "For the whip and correction are suited in every circumstance to wisdom."

  The Instructor Book 1