And they that use this world, as not abusing it : for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Ver. 31. As not abusing it] Not shooting our affections overly far into it. David was as a weaned child, Paul as a crucified man. If Job's heart had not been weaned from the world, when as yet he wallowed in worldly wealth, he could not have borne so bravely the ruin of so rich a state without repining. The devil hath no way to entangle us, but to say, as he did to Christ, Mitte te deorsum, Cast thyself down, pitch upon the bait, eat and devour hook and all. We have no safer way to escape him, than by minding the main, and looking upon all things here below as by-businesses. The Fathers make this observation here; that the joys of this world are but quasi, as if they were joys, not joys indeed, but shadows or figures, as Isaiah 29:8, like the commotions of the affections in a dream.
For the fashion of this world] The word σχημα signifies a mathematical figure, which is a mere notion, and nothing in substance. So Psalms 39:6; "Surely every man walketh in a vain shadow," he leadeth an imaginary life, rather than a life itself. The pomp of this world is but a fantasy, Acts 25:23. (See the note there.) The glory of it, an opinion. The word here used intimateth that there is nothing of any firmness or solid consistency in the creature. It is but a surface, outside, empty promise; all the beauty of it is but skin-deep. The word here used signifies, say some, such a fashion as is in a comedy or stageplay, where all things are but for a while, to please the eye.
Passeth away] Temporals are as transitory as a hasty headlong torrent. The posting sun of all worldly pleasure, after a short gleam of vain glistering, sets in the ocean of endless sorrow. In the pope's enthronization, before he is set in his chair, and puts on his triple crown, a piece of tow or wad of straw is set on fire before him, and one appointed to say, Sic transit gloria mundi, The glory of this world is but a blaze. It is indeed an ignis fatuus, a walking fire that leadeth men into brakes and ditches. And so some render this text. The fashion or hue of this world deceiveth, misleadeth, carrieth men another way, out of their way, παραγει. Fallit, transversum agit. (Bud.) For of the world we may say as Plutarch saith of Herodotus, Both the words and shows of it are full of fraud. Δολερα μεν τα σχηματα, δολερα δε τα ρηματα. Nec tantum fallacia sunt quia dubia (saith Lactantius), sed et insidiosa, quia dulcia.