Job 4:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 4:7-11

Eliphaz here advances another argument to prove Job a hypocrite, and will have not only his impatience under his afflictions to be evidence against him but even his afflictions themselves, being so very great and extraordinary, and there being no prospect at all of his deliverance out of them. To strengthen his argument he here lays down these two principles, which seem plausible enough:? I. That good men were never thus ruined. For the proof of this he appeals to Job's own observation (Job... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 4:8

Even as I have seen ,.... Here he goes about to prove, by his own experience, the destruction of wicked men; and would intimate, that Job was such an one, because of the ruin he was fallen into: they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same ; figurative expressions, denoting that such who devise iniquity in their hearts, form and plan schemes of it in their minds, signified by "plowing iniquity", and who were studious and diligent to put into practice what they devised; who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 4:8

They that plough iniquity - A proverbial form of speech drawn from nature. Whatever seed a man sows in the ground, he reaps the same kind; for every seed produces its like. Thus Solomon, Proverbs 22:8 ; : "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity." And St. Paul, Galatians 6:7 , Galatians 6:8 ; : "Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he who soweth to the Spirit,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

Eliphaz to Job: the opening of the second controversy: 1. The relation of suffering to sin. I. A COURTEOUS EXORDIUM . Eliphaz, the oldest and wisest of the friends, adopts an apologetic strain in replying to Job's imprecation, representing the task assumed by him as: 1 . Painful to Job ; which it certainly was. In circumstances even the most favourable, it requires no little grace to receive admonition with equanimity; not to speak of counting it a kindness and esteeming it an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

Eliphaz and Job: forgotten truths called to mind. However misapplied to his particular case may have been the speeches of Job's friends, there can be no dispute concerning the purity and the sublimity of the great truths for which they here appear as spokesmen. If not well directed to Job, they may be well directed to us. Each of the friends represents a certain aspect of the truths which relate man to God. In the speech of Eliphaz the main position taken is that man, in his ignorance and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:6-8

Affliction. I. THE SOURCE OF IT . 1 . Negatively. 2 . Positively. II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IT . 1 . Universal. It is the portion, not of one man, or a few, or even of many, but of the race. It forms a portion of the birthright of humanity. 2 . Certain. It is absolutely unavoidable. As surely as the sparks ascend, so surely will those sinful passions rage that entail suffering and misery. 3 . Perpetual. Meeting man upon the threshold of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:7-11

The consequences of evil-doing. The New Testament teaching is, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." It is precisely as the present verses. "They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." So does the testimony of the ages warn evil-doers. This rule is inevitable; it is just; it is natural; it is admonitory. I. THIS ORDER IS INEVITABLE . He who has ordained the laws of nature, fixed, calm, indestructible, has also ordained that the doer of evil shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:8

Even as I have seen ; rather, according as I have seen —so far, that is, as my observation goes (see the Revised Version, which is supported by Professor Lee and Canon Cook). They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (comp. Proverbs 22:8 ; Hosea 8:7 ; Hosea 10:13 ; Galatians 6:7 , Galatians 6:8 ). The words translated "iniquity" and "wickedness" express in the original both moral and physical evil. Men sew the one and reap the other. Eliphaz extends this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:8

A true principle falsely applied. We have now reached the kernel of the controversy with which Job and his friends are to be engaged. While—as the prologue shows—the primary purpose of the Book of Job is to refute Satan's low, sneering insinuation implied in the words, "Doth Job serve God for nought?" and to prove that God can and does inspire disinterested devotion, the long discussion among the friends is concerned with the problem of suffering, and the old orthodox notion that it was just... read more

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