The Church Fathers on this verse

Job 6:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.

Douay-Rheims

הֲיֵשׁ־בִּלְשׁוֹנִ֥י עַוְלָ֑ה אִם־חִ֝כִּ֗י לֹא־יָבִ֥ין הַוּֽוֹת׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

You shall find no wrongdoing in my speech, nor any foolishness in what I say (Job 6:30). Essentially, this means that the more you examine your words with precision, the more discerning you become regarding the statements of others. When your speech aligns with righteousness, you will be able to recognize true justice in what you hear. My words could never seem absurd to you unless they are influenced by your own concealed thoughts. Consequently, the Holy Church primarily seeks to demonstrate that the claims of her opponents are unfounded, and subsequently to reveal the truth. For as long as they believe they possess the truth, they will continue to challenge the genuine truths they encounter.

Read more (219 words)

It is crucial, therefore, that those who are misguided first acknowledge their errors to prevent them from dismissing the truth upon hearing it. Just as a farmer must uproot weeds from unyielding soil for the seeds to flourish, or a doctor must cleanse an infected wound to promote healing, it is necessary to first eradicate falsehoods to make way for what is right. Thus, with a commitment to righteousness, let one proclaim, "You shall find no wrongdoing in my speech, nor foolishness from my lips."

In addressing heretics, the Church speaks both openly and discreetly—where the term 'tongue' denotes public discourse while 'jaws' refers to that which is kept hidden. The Holy Church does not speak 'iniquity with her tongue,' nor does 'foolishness issue from her jaws.' She openly articulates all that she simultaneously holds within her faith. She does not teach one principle outwardly while concealing another; rather, she expresses her beliefs through her words and lives in accordance with what she proclaims. The joys of divine wisdom are conveyed through her preaching, and she internally embraces these truths with a reflective spirit. Blessed Job serves as a singular representative of the Church, articulating his personal experiences and reflecting the sentiments of all the elect, so that the integrity of his heart may be evident in his words.

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

Job's intense suffering led him to curse the day he was born. Instead of offering him comfort, Eliphaz reproaches him for a lack of patience and accuses him of hidden transgressions. In reply, Job argues that if anyone were to truly assess his agonies, it would seem that his grievances are still feeble and that he remains excessively patient, for nothing could surpass the weight of his afflictions. Concurrently, Job longs for a quick death to end his torment. He mourns the betrayal of his friends, who, rather than offering solace, view his misfortune as a punishment from God, suggesting that his suffering reflects moral failings. Rejecting their attempts at consolation, Job demands that his friends present evidence of his sinfulness or that he is somehow misrepresenting his plight.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.