Job 31:12

“For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth to destruction, etc.] Referring either to the nature of the sin of uncleanness; it is inflammatory, a burning lust, a fire burning in the breast; (see <460709>1 Corinthians 7:9); or to the effect of it, either the rage of jealousy in the injured person, which is exceeding fierce, furious, and cruel, like devouring fire, not to be appeased or mitigated, (<200634>Proverbs 6:34,35 <220806>Song of Solomon 8:6); or else it may respect the punishment of this sin in the times of Job, and which we find was practised among the Gentiles, as the Canaanites, Job’s neighbours, burning such delinquents with fire; (see <013824>Genesis 38:24) (<242922>Jeremiah 29:22,23);…”

“(Pro 6:27-35; Pro 8:6-23, Pro 8:26-27). No crime more provokes God to send destruction as a consuming fire; none so desolates the soul.”

“For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction - This may mean that such an offence would be a crime that would provoke God to send destruction, like a consuming fire upon the offender (Rosenmuller and Noyes), or more likely it is designed to be descriptive of the nature of the sin itself. According to this, the meaning is, that indulgence in this sin tends wholly to ruin and destroy a man. It is like a consuming fire, which sweeps away everything before it. It is destructive to the body, the morals, the soul. Accordingly, it may be remarked that there is no one vice which pours such desolation through the soul as licentiousness. See Rush on the Diseases of the Mind. It corrupts and taints…”

“Destruction - Lust is a fire in the soul; it consumes all that is good there, the convictions, the comforts; and lays the conscience waste. It consumes the body, consumes the substance, roots out all the increase. It kindles the fire of God's wrath, which if not quenched by the blood of Christ, will burn to the lowest hell. Job 31:16”

“31:12 The association of fire with hell or the grave is rare in the Old Testament (cp. Deut 32:22).”

“Pro 3:33, Pro 6:27; Jer 5:7-9; Mal 3:5; Heb 13:4 Job 31:13”