Job 15:14 – “What are mortals, that they could be pure, or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In Job 15:14, Eliphaz continues his argument by questioning the purity and righteousness of human beings. He is implying that no human being, given our fallen nature, can be entirely pure or righteous before God. Eliphaz suggests that Job’s insistence on his innocence is misplaced because, as a mortal, Job cannot possibly be without sin. This argument reflects the broader theme that human beings are inherently flawed and prone to sin, and Eliphaz uses this idea to further challenge Job’s defense of his righteousness.
Eliphaz is basically saying, “Job, you’re a human being—how can you claim to be completely righteous in God’s eyes? No one is perfect.” He uses this statement to cast doubt on Job’s insistence that he doesn’t deserve the suffering he is experiencing.
Historical Context
In ancient times, the concept of human fallibility and imperfection was well understood. People believed that all human beings were prone to sin and that no one could stand completely righteous before God. This idea is rooted in the belief that after the fall of Adam and Eve, all humans inherited a sinful nature. Eliphaz is leaning on this traditional belief to argue that Job, like everyone else, is a sinner and therefore cannot claim to be innocent.
Job’s friends, including Eliphaz, believed that Job’s suffering must be the result of sin. They couldn’t accept the idea that Job, though righteous in his actions, was suffering for reasons beyond his control. In their worldview, suffering was always tied to sin, so Eliphaz assumes that Job’s defense of his innocence is flawed because no human can be fully righteous before God.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse touches on the nature of sin and human imperfection. Eliphaz’s statement that no human can be pure or righteous before God reflects the biblical understanding that all people are sinners and fall short of God’s glory. The Bible teaches that, because of the fall, humanity is separated from God by sin, and no one can claim righteousness on their own.
However, while Eliphaz’s observation about human imperfection is theologically accurate, he misapplies it in Job’s case. Job is not suffering because of some specific sin; rather, his suffering is part of a larger spiritual test that Eliphaz and his friends do not understand. The verse highlights the tension between human understanding of sin and God’s deeper purposes in allowing suffering.
Literary Analysis
Job 15:14 is part of Eliphaz’s second speech, where he is attempting to convince Job that his suffering must be due to sin, simply because no one can claim to be sinless before God. The rhetorical questions “What are mortals, that they could be pure?” and “Those born of woman, that they could be righteous?” emphasize the universality of sin and human weakness. These questions are meant to challenge Job’s insistence on his innocence and to remind him that all humans are flawed.
The language is direct and confrontational, with Eliphaz using these questions to make his point about human fallibility. The use of rhetorical questions in this passage is intended to force Job to reflect on his own humanity and, in Eliphaz’s mind, to humble him into admitting his sinfulness.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 51:5: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” This verse reflects the idea that all humans are born with a sinful nature, supporting Eliphaz’s point about human imperfection.
- Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This New Testament passage emphasizes the universality of sin, echoing Eliphaz’s statement that no human can be truly pure or righteous on their own.
- Ecclesiastes 7:20: “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” This verse supports the idea that human beings are inherently flawed and imperfect.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 15:14 serves as a reminder of the reality of human imperfection. Eliphaz’s observation that no one is perfectly righteous or pure before God is true in the sense that all people are sinners and fall short of God’s standard. However, we also know that God’s grace and forgiveness are available to us through faith.
This verse challenges us to remember that we cannot rely on our own righteousness to stand before God. Instead, we must trust in God’s mercy and grace. While Eliphaz uses this truth to accuse Job, Christians can take comfort in the fact that our righteousness is found not in our own actions but in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Eliphaz’s words reflect a partial truth: humans are indeed sinful and imperfect. However, what Eliphaz misses is that God’s love and grace are greater than our sin. While no one can be completely righteous on their own, God in His love offers forgiveness and redemption to those who trust in Him.
God’s love is shown in His willingness to meet us in our brokenness. Rather than condemning us for our imperfections, He invites us into a relationship with Him where we can find forgiveness and healing. Eliphaz’s focus on human imperfection without recognizing God’s grace limits his understanding of God’s loving character.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Job 15:14 points to the reality that no human being can be perfectly righteous or pure on their own. This truth sets the stage for the ultimate solution: Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:8, we are reminded that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus, who was without sin, took on the penalty of sin for us so that we could be made righteous before God.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are offered the gift of righteousness—not because of our own merits but because of His sacrifice. In Christ, the problem of human imperfection is resolved, and we are invited into a restored relationship with God. While Eliphaz focuses on humanity’s sinfulness, the good news is that Jesus makes it possible for us to be righteous in God’s eyes.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse remind you of the reality of human imperfection? How do you see that reflected in your own life?
- Why do you think Eliphaz focuses so much on human sinfulness in his argument to Job? How does this affect his view of Job’s suffering?
- How does the truth of human sinfulness help us better appreciate the grace that God offers through Jesus Christ?
- In what ways can we avoid the mistake Eliphaz made by focusing too much on sin without recognizing God’s love and grace?
- How does Jesus’ sacrifice address the problem of human imperfection, and what does that mean for how we relate to God?