Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 16:20

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Ver. 20. My friends are full of words; but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. For what is denoted by the eye, but the intent of the heart? as it is written, if thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. For when any thing is done with a good intention, the enacting of that intention contracts no soil in the sight of God; and so when friends are full of words, i.e. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XIII ↗

Thomas Aquinas

After Job described the greatness of his adversity, (v.14) his humility (v.16) and his innocence (v.18), he proceeds further to reprove the vain consolation which his friends repeated to him again and again, about the hope of recovering temporal prosperity. As Eliphaz said above, "Is it a great thing for God to console you." (15:11ff) So he intends to show the vain character of this consolation, and he begins with the words, "My wordy friends," as if to say: They promise me empty words. …

Commentary on Job ↗