To deliver thee from the strange woman
As the Gospel of Christ and its doctrines, or the instructions of
wisdom, are a means of delivering persons from the evil man, his
company, ways, and works; so from a naughty woman, an adulteress,
called a "strange" woman; not because of another nation, or
unknown, but because she belongs to another person, and not to
him whom she entices into her embraces. Gersom interprets this of
the sensitive appetite, and Jarchi of idolatry; as others do also
of superstition and all false doctrine, and everything that is
contrary to true wisdom; and the whole that is here and
afterwards said may well enough be applied to the whore of Rome,
from whose fornication, or spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry,
will worship, and antichristian doctrines, the Gospel delivers
men; see ( Proverbs 7:5
) [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her
words;
that useth smooth and soft words to work upon the passions, move
the affections, and win the hearts of men; and ensnare them and
draw them to commit wickedness with her; see ( Proverbs 5:3
) ( 7:21
) ; and so antichrist, and all false teachers and heretics, with
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, (
Romans
16:18 ) .