Matthew Henry Commentary Job 15:1-16

"Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou doest away with fear, And hinderest devotion before God. For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; Yea, thine own lips testify against thee. Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills? Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself? What knowest thou, that we know not? What understandest thou, which is not in us? With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than thy father. Are the consolations of God too small for thee, Even the word that is gentle toward thee? Why doth thy heart carry thee away? And why do thine eyes flash, That against God thou turnest thy spirit, And lettest words go out of thy mouth? What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, he putteth no trust in his holy ones; Yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight: How much less one that is abominable and corrupt, A man that drinketh iniquity like water!" — Job 15:1-16 (ASV)

Eliphaz begins a second attack on Job, instead of being softened by his complaints. He unjustly charges Job with casting off the fear of God, all regard for Him, and restraining prayer. See how religion is summarized: fearing God and praying to Him; fearing God is the most essential principle, and praying to Him is the most essential practice.

Eliphaz charges Job with self-conceit. He charges him with contempt for the counsels and comforts given him by his friends. We are apt to think that what we ourselves say is important, while others, with good reason, think little of it. He charges him with opposition to God.

Eliphaz should not have put harsh constructions on the words of someone well known for piety, especially one who was then undergoing temptation. It is clear that these disputants were deeply convinced of the doctrine of original sin and the total depravity of human nature. Should we not admire the patience of God in bearing with us, and even more His love for us in the redemption through Christ Jesus, His beloved Son?