Job 4:18-19
Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the verse mentions God finding "folly" in His angels, it's crucial to understand this isn't about their innate evil, but rather their inherent imperfection compared to God's absolute perfection. Even the highest created beings can't stand on their own, implying a profound dependence on God that makes human claims of perfect righteousness absurd. This highlights a subtle but powerful contrast: God's standard is so high that even angelic purity is deemed insufficient by comparison.
Eliphaz is explaining a vision he received, attempting to comfort or perhaps correct Job by emphasizing God's absolute perfection and sovereignty. He uses this vision to argue that if even God cannot fully trust His own angelic servants, finding them imperfect or flawed, then Job's faith should not be shaken by his suffering. This verse serves as a foundation for the argument that human understanding of God's justice is limited, especially when compared to the flawless nature of the Creator.
Eliphaz uses a startling statement: God doesn't fully trust even His heavenly servants. What does this reveal about God and about us?
In Job 4:18, Eliphaz presents a profound truth about God's absolute perfection. He states, 'Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.'
A Glimpse of God's Standard
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This doesn't mean God is insecure or that angels are inherently evil. Rather, it highlights the immeasurable gulf between the Creator and the created.
The word 'folly' here is tricky. What does it really mean for God to 'charge' His angels with it, and what does that say about divine judgment?
The word translated 'folly' (Hebrew: toholah) in Job 4:18 is rare and has multiple interpretations. However, the core idea emerging from the context is about deficiency or imperfection when measured against God's absolute standard.
Understanding 'Folly'
Understand the original words
malak · Hebrew Noun
Refers to spiritual beings who serve as God's messengers or ministers. While holy, they are created beings, and even they do not possess the absolute, unchangeable perfection of God.
toholah · Hebrew Noun
Often used to describe moral failing, mistake, or deviation from the correct path. In this context, it suggests that even the highest created beings are not infallible compared to God.
chomer · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical description of the human body, emphasizing its temporary nature, fragility, and earthly origin, contrasting with the permanence of God.
aphar · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the elemental substance from which humanity was created and to which it returns upon death, signifying the ultimate transience and humbleness of human life.
This passage highlights God's re-evaluation of His creation, even recognizing 'corruption' in humanity, which echoes the idea that even exalted beings are not beyond God's scrutiny for imperfection or deviation.
2 Peter 2:4This verse directly speaks to the judgment of angels who sinned, aligning with Eliphaz's point that God does not place ultimate trust even in these high beings, as some have demonstrated a capacity for rebellion.
Psalm 8:4While this Psalm exalts humanity, it immediately contrasts it with God's greatness, reminding us that even what God esteems highly (like humans or angels) is infinitely surpassed by His own perfection and holiness.
Romans 11:33The apostle Paul's exclamation of 'Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!' reflects the profound mystery and ineffable perfection of God, which makes any comparison with created beings, however exalted, seem like 'folly'.
Hebrews 1:14This verse describes angels as 'ministering spirits sent out to serve,' underscoring their role as servants, yet the context of Job's statement implies that this service and their inherent nature are still far from God's own perfect, unchangeable being.
bensonJob 4:18: "Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:"
Job 4:18. Behold, &c. — For it deserves thy serious consideration. These and the following words seem to be the words of Eliphaz, explaining the former vision, and applying it to Job’s case, and enforcing it by further arguments. He put no trust in his servants — That is, in his angels, as appears both by the next words of this verse, in which, by way of explication and restriction, they are termed his an…
barnesJob 4:18: "Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:"
Behold, he put no trust in his servants - These are evidently the words of the oracle that appeared to Eliphaz; see Schultens, in loc. The word servants here refers to angels; and the idea is, that God was so pure that he did not confide even in the exalted holiness of angels - meaning that their holiness was infinitely inferior to his. The design is to state that God had the highest possible holiness, su…
While the verse mentions God finding "folly" in His angels, it's crucial to understand this isn't about their innate evil, but rather their inherent imperfection compared to God's absolute perfection. Even the highest created beings can't stand on their own, implying a profound dependence on God that makes human claims of perfect righteousness absurd. This highlights a subtle but powerful contrast: God's standard is so high that even angelic purity is deemed insufficient by comparison.
Eliphaz is explaining a vision he received, attempting to comfort or perhaps correct Job by emphasizing God's absolute perfection and sovereignty. He uses this vision to argue that if even God cannot fully trust His own angelic servants, finding them imperfect or flawed, then Job's faith should not be shaken by his suffering. This verse serves as a foundation for the argument that human understanding of God's justice is limited, especially when compared to the flawless nature of the Creator.
Eliphaz is explaining a vision he received, attempting to comfort or perhaps correct Job by emphasizing God's absolute perfection and sovereignty. He uses this vision to argue that if even God cannot fully trust His own angelic servants, finding them imperfect or flawed, then Job's faith should not be shaken by his suffering. This verse serves as a foundation for the argument that human understanding of God's justice is limited, especially when compared to the flawless nature of the Creator.
"Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth." — While the verse mentions God finding "folly" in His angels, it's crucial to understand this isn't about their innate evil, but rather their inherent imperfection compared to God's absolute perfection…
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