The interpretation timeline

Sir 29:16

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 29:16 · Douay-Rheims

“Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear:”

Medieval c. 750 – 1100

856

A.D.

Rabanus Maurus Medieval

c. A.D. 780–856

“This passage opposes Pelagius, who puts free will before grace, even though the elect are freed from every stain only by the grace of Christ. Thus the apostle says, "By grace we have been saved." And, "Who will free me from this body given over to death? The grace of God through Christ our Lord." And again, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace in me has not been in vain."”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.