Job 35:7-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 35:1-8

We have here, I. The bad words which Elihu charges upon Job, Job 35:2, 3. To evince the badness of them he appeals to Job himself, and his own sober thoughts, in the reflection: Thinkest thou this to be right? This intimates Elihu's confidence that the reproof he now gave was just, for he could refer the judgment of it even to Job himself. Those that have truth and equity on their side sooner or later will have every man's conscience on their side. It also intimates his good opinion of Job,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:7

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him ?.... All righteousness is of God that any creatures have. What the angels in heaven have, or Adam had in a state of innocence; or what believers in Christ have in and from him; his righteousness imputed to them is of God; the grace of righteousness, or holiness, imparted to them and implanted in them, is from him; and it is under the influence of his Spirit, and by his grace and strength, they do works of righteousness externally; and therefore can... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:8

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art ,.... But not God: a man may hurt himself by his wickedness; his body, by bringing various diseases upon it, through debauchery and intemperance; his family and estate, by wasting it; his soul, for every sin is a wrong and injury to a man's soul, and exposes it to ruin and destruction: and sin does even a good man harm, since it breaks in upon his peace, and hinders his communion with God; and the wickedness of men may harm others like... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 35:8

Thy wickedness may hurt - It is better to translate this literally: To a man like thyself is thy wickedness: And to the son of man, thy righteousness: That is: - Thou mayest injure thyself and others by thy wickedness, And thou mayest benefit both by thy righteousness; But God thou canst neither hurt nor profit. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:1-16

In this short chapter, once more Elihu addresses himself to Job, first (verses 1-8) answering his complaint that a life of righteousness has brought him no correspondent blessings; and then (verses 9-14) explaining to him that his prayers and appeals to God have probably not been answered because they were not preferred in a right spirit, i.e. with faith and humility. Finally (verse 15, 16), he condemns Job for haughtiness and arrogance, and reiterates the charge that he "multiplies... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:1-16

Elihu to Job: the trial of Job continued. I. JOB 'S OFFENCE RESTATED . Returning to the charge, Elihu accuses Job of having given utterance to two dangerous assertions. 1 . That his ( Job ' s ) righteousness was greater than God ' s. "Thinkest thou this to be right?"—dost thou hold this for a sound judgment?—"that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?" (verse 2). That Job never used this expression may be true; but that Elihu does not unfairly represent the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:1-16

Elihu's third speech: the profit of godliness. I. FOLLY OF THE OPINION THAT THERE IS NO PROFIT IN GODLINESS . ( Job 35:1-8 .) A good man, says Elihu, would not speak as Job has done, questioning whether godliness is more profitable than sin. But what is the refutation of this dangerous notion? The speaker points to the blessed self-sufficiency of God, the exalted One in the heavens. In this light man must appear alone as one who draws advantage from his righteousness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:5-8

God's independence of man. I. GOD IS NOT DEPENDENT ON MAN 'S CONDUCT . We must agree in the main with what Elihu here states. God is serf-sufficient, and he owns all things. "The cattle upon a thousand hills are his." If he were hungry he would not need to tell us. Our most active service is not necessary to God, our most virulent malignity cannot really touch him. He dwells in the fulness and serenity of his own perfection. II. GOD CANNOT BE BRIBED BY MAN 'S ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:7

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? By parity of reasoning, as our sins do not injure God, so our righteousness cannot benefit him. As David says, "My goodness extendeth not to thee" ( Psalms 16:2 ). Or what receiveth he of thine hand? All things being already God's, we can but give him of his own. We cannot really add to his possessions, or to his glory, or to his felicity. We cannot, as some have supposed they could, lay him under an obligation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:8

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son (rather, a son) of man . Job must not think, Elihu means, that, because his good actions benefit and his bad actions injure his fellow men, therefore they must also in the one case injure and in the other benefit God. The cases are not parallel. God is too remote, too powerful, too great, to be touched by his actions. Job has done wrong, therefore, to expect that God would necessarily reward his... read more

Group of Brands