And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life.
All Commentaries on Job 2:4 Go To Job 2
Gregory The Dialogist
AD 604
5. The old enemy derives from outward things the charge which he urges against the blessed man's soul. For he affirms that ‘skin is given for skin;’ as it often happens that when we see a blow directed against the face, we put our hands before our eyelids to guard the eyes from the stroke, and we present our bodies to be wounded, lest they be wounded in a tenderer part. Satan then, who knew that such things are customarily done, exclaims, Skin for skin, and all that a man hath will he give in exchange for his life. As if he said in plain words, ‘It is for this reason that Job bears with composure so many strokes falling without, because he fears lest he should be smitten himself, and so it is care of the flesh that makes him unmoved by hurt done to the feelings of the flesh; for while he fears for his own person, he feels the less the hurt of what belongs to him.
And hence he immediately requires his flesh to be smitten, in these words;
"But put forth Thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. "
He had said above, Touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. [Job 1, 11] Now, as if forgetting his former proposal, being beaten upon one point, he demands another. And this is justly allowed him by God's dispensation, that the audacious disputer, by being over and over again overcome, may be made to keep silence.
