Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 6:13-15

"For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 6:13-15 (ASV)

1. Here, he discusses the cause of the destruction:

1. Greed.
2. Disobedience, as seen in the verse, thus says the Lord: stand upon the roads, and see (Jeremiah 6:16).
3. The abuse of sacred things, as seen in, why do you bring me the frankincense of Sheba? (Jeremiah 6:20).

Regarding the first point, greed, he makes three observations.

1. He speaks of their guilt, noting their zealous pursuit of greed: they are all given over to greed. As Isaiah says, All have gone aside in their own way, each one to his greed from the greatest to the least (Isaiah 56:11). He also points out their deceit in their dealings: and from the prophet to the priest, they all deal fraudulently. As the psalmist writes, They think on fraud all the day long (Psalms 37:13).

   The nature of their treachery was flattery: and they would heal, that is, they used words to excuse sins and dismiss the threat of punishment. As Ezekiel says, Prophets of Israel who prophesy to Jerusalem, and see a vision of peace; and there is no peace, says the Lord God (Ezekiel 13:16).

2. He speaks of their shamelessness even in the face of punishment: they were not ashamed. That is, they were not brought by punishment to a healthy shame that leads to repentance. As Sirach says, There is a shame which brings sin, and a shame which brings glory and favor .
3. He threatens punishment: for this reason, they—the prophets themselves—will fall among those who fall—the common people. They shall be cast down by death or captivity, to be joined with them in punishment, since they were not separated from them in sin.