Job 4:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“Which are shattered instead of crushed, that is, struck effortlessly and profoundly within.”

Maintaining his initial belief that these afflictions stem from sin, he expresses these sentiments as well. When they recognized their transgressions, they could not rely on virtue to rescue themselves, resulting in further trials. He implies that their inability to prevent the devastating events due to their frailty led to their downfall, demonstrating the limitations of human strength.

Job's lamentations regarding his circumstances provoke his friends to respond with objections and engage in an extensive discussion about the reasons behind Job's affliction. Eliphaz is the first to challenge him. After requesting the opportunity to speak, he expresses his astonishment that a man who had frequently offered solace to those in distress could now utter such harsh grievances, especially since his awareness of his own virtues should have assured him of a joyful outcome. He draws on personal experience, asserting that righteousness typically protects a person from calamity; conversely, might and aggression cannot shield one from the anger of the Lord. Thus, he deduces that if Job had indeed been upright, he would not have faced such hardships.