Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 30:10

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. All the wicked 'fly far' from Holy Church, not by the paces of footsteps, but by the characters of practices; they fly far not in place, but desert, whereas, pride gaining ground, they contemn her with open upbraiding. For 'to spit in his face' is not only to detract from the good in absence, but to give the lie to each one of the just even in presence. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XX ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, he shows how they held him in contempt in their heart when he then says, "They abhor me," as vile and unclean. Third, he shows how they held him in contempt in deed, first insofar as they bristled in his presence, and so he continues, "and they fled far from me." He says this in opposition to his previous statement, "They awaited me like the rain." (29:23) Second, they proposed injuries against him; "and they were not afraid to spit in my face," as a sign of insult and scorn.

Commentary on Job ↗