How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith {b} in her heart, I sit a queen, and am {c} no widow, and shall {d} see no sorrow.

(b) With herself.

(c) I am full of people and mighty.

(d) I shall taste of none.

People's New Testament

18:7 I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. This verse describes her former pride. Compare Isa 47:8,9.

Wesley's Notes

18:7 As much as she hath glorified herself - By pride, and pomp, and arrogant boasting. And lived deliciously - In all kinds of elegance, luxury, and wantonness. So much torment give her - Proportioning the punishment to the sin. Because she saith in her heart - As did ancient Babylon, Isai 47:8,9. I sit - Her usual style. Hence those expressions, The chair, the see of Rome: he sat so many years. As a queen - Over many kings, mistress of all churches; the supreme; the infallible; the only spouse of Christ; out of which there is no salvation. And am no widow - But the spouse of Christ. And shall see no sorrow - From the death of my children, or any other calamity; for God himself will defend the church.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7. How much-that is in proportion as.

lived deliciously-luxuriously: see on [2733]Re 18:3, where the Greek is akin.

sorrow-Greek, "mourning," as for a dead husband.

I sit-so Vulgate. But A, B, and C prefix "that."

I . am no widow-for the world power is my husband and my supporter.

shall see no sorrow-Greek, "mourning." "I am seated (this long time) . I am no widow . I shall see no sorrow," marks her complete unconcerned security as to the past, present, and future [Bengel]. I shall never have to mourn as one bereft of her husband. As Babylon was queen of the East, so Rome has been queen of the West, and is called on Imperial coins "the eternal city." So Papal Rome is called by Ammian Marcellin [15.7]. "Babylon is a former Rome, and Rome a latter Babylon. Rome is a daughter of Babylon, and by her, as by her mother, God has been pleased to subdue the world under one sway" [Augustine]. As the Jew's restoration did not take place till Babylon's fall, so R. Kimchi on Obadiah, writes, "When Rome (Edom) shall be devastated, there shall be redemption to Israel." Romish idolatries have been the great stumbling-blocks to the Jews' acceptance of Christianity.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:1-8 The downfal and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up idols, and had drawn all sorts of men into spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury kept them in her interest. The spiritual merchandise, by which multitudes have wickedly lived in wealth, by the sins and follies of mankind, seems principally intended. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of this Babylon, but assist in her destruction. God may have a people even in Babylon. But God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually, while those that partake with wicked men in their sins, must receive of their plagues.