Job 4:6

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Job 4:1-6

1-6 Satan undertook to prove Job a hypocrite by afflicting him; and his friends concluded him to be one because he was so afflicted, and showed impatience. This we must keep in mind if we would understand what passed. Eliphaz speaks of Job, and his afflicted condition, with tenderness; but charges him with weakness and faint-heartedness. Men make few allowances for those who have taught others. Even pious friends will count that only a touch which we feel as a wound. Learn from hence to draw... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 4:1-21

Job having thus given way to his impatience, his friends thought it their duty to correct him. But instead of showing him in what respect his position was wrong, they proceed according to the assumption that Job must be guilty of some special fault or sin, and chide him accordingly. v. 1. Then Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered and said, v. 2. If we essay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? Eliphaz wanted to be sure from the outset that Job would not misunderstand his friends if they... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 4:1-21

FIRST SERIES OF CONTROVERSIAL DISCOURSESTHE ENTANGLEMENT IN ITS BEGINNINGJob 4-14I. Eliphaz and Job: Chap. 4–7A.—The Accusation of Eliphaz: Man must not speak against God like JobJob 4-51. Introductory reproof of Job on account of his unmanly complaint, by which he could only incur God’s wrath:Job 4:2-111 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?but who can withhold himself from speaking?3 Behold, thou hast instructed... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Job 4:1-21

“Shall Mortal Man Be More Just than God?” Job 4:1-21 The first cycle of speeches is opened by Eliphaz. It must be remembered that he and the two others believed that special suffering resulted from and was the sign of special sin. Job’s calamities, in the light of that thought, seemed to prove that he who had been considered a paragon of perfection was not what they had supposed. According to their philosophy, if only he would confess his sin, all would be well and the sun would shine again... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 4:1-21

Now begins the great controversy between Job and his friends, which occupies the major portion of the Book. This controversy moves in three cycles. The first, commencing here, runs through chapter fourteen. In it each of the three friends speaks to Job, and is answered by him. The first speaker, Eliphaz, commenced with a courteous apology for speaking at all, and yet a declaration that he could not withhold himself. After expressing surprise at Job's complaint, and asking if his integrity... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Job 4:1-21

The Philosophy of Eliphaz Job 4:1-21 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We are now approaching a part of the Book of Job that is most interesting. Job's three friends have at last broken their silence, and Eliphaz the Temanite has opened his mouth to answer Job. 1. The effort of human wisdom to fathom the ways of God. Philosophy has a place where it can walk in all assurance, but there are realms where philosophy meets a maze and a mist which it cannot pierce. The Word of God says: "For what man knoweth the... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Job 4:1-11

Job 4:1-1 Kings : . Eliphaz is provoked to reply, in spite of his unwillingness, by the tone of Job’ s speech, which seems to him altogether irreverent. He wonders that Job, who had comforted so many others in trouble, should fall into such despair, when trouble has come to himself. Eliphaz assumes that Job is a righteous man; Job 6 is not meant as sarcasm. Eliphaz would suggest simply that Job’ s trouble has caused him to leave the standing-ground of religion. His complaint (ch. 3) was... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Job 4:6

So the sense is, We now plainly see what was the nature and complexion of thy fear of God, thy confidence in him, the uprightness of thy ways, and thy hope in God’s mercy, which thou didst make show and boast of, and for which thou wast become so famous. Thy present carriage discovereth to thyself and others that it was but mere talk and appearance, and there was nothing sound and sincere in it. In thy prosperity it was easy to make a splendid profession of religion; but men are best known by... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Job 4:1-21

COMMENCEMENT OF THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN JOB AND HIS THREE FRIENDSFirst Course of the Speeches. First Dialogue,—Eliphaz and JobFirst Speech of EliphazEliphaz censures Job for his impatience, and hints at sin as the cause of his suffering. Job 4:1. “Then Eliphaz the Temanite,” &c. First of the three in age and experience. The mildest of Job’s accusers, and superior to the rest in discernment and delicacy. His tone friendly and modest, but pours vinegar rather than oil on Job’s wounds. A wise... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Job 4:1-21

Chapter 4So Job has made his complaint, and so Eliphaz, his friend who came to comfort him, he said,If we attempt to talk to you, will you be grieved? [But really after what you've said] who can keep silent? [He said,] Behold, you have instructed many people, you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have held up the person who was falling, and you have strengthened feeble knees. But now when it comes to you, you faint; it touches you, and you are troubled ( Job 4:3-5 ).Uh-oh, those are nice... read more