Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job.
Ver. 3. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled] True zeal is of a most masculine, disengaged, courageous nature; like fire, it catcheth on every side, and is impartial. Elihu was a man made all of fire, walking among stubble, as Chrysostom saith of Peter. And, surely, he that is not angry against sin, whether in himself or others, it is because either he knows it not or hates it not as he ought. He also kept within the bounds of modesty and moderation, and expressed himself without bitterness. We read of Idacius, that he would needs be doing with Salvianus and Instantius, both Priscillianists. But by his passionate and intemperate language he not only did not convert them, but made them worse (Sulp. Sever. l. ii., p. 171).
Because they had found no answer] They were gravelled and nonplussed, as the Popish doctors were oft by the martyrs, Philpot, Ridley, &c., yea, by those of the weaker sort, as Anne Askew, Alice Driver, &c. The prolocutor in convocation, A. D. 1553, confessed that those dejected ministers (afterwards martyrs) had the word on their side, but the prelates in place the possession of the sword, and that was their best answer to the others' arguments.
And yet had condemned Job] Condemned him for a wicked man, as the word signifieth. So the Popish doctors did innocent Cranmer of adultery, heresy, and treason; Philpot, of parricide, heresy, &c. To accuse was easy, but how shamefully failed they in the proof! These three, after they had also interested God himself in their rash accusation of Job, were forced to give him over.