Job 35:4

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 35:4

I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Meaning not his three friends, as the Septuagint version expresses it; for they were not on the side of Job, and of the same sentiment with him, but rather on the side of Elihu; especially Eliphaz, who expresses much the same sentiment he does, Job 22:2 ; but all that were of the same mind with Job, whether present or absent, or in whatsoever part of the world; the answer he should return to him would serve for them all, and sufficiently... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 35:4

I will answer thee - I will show thee the evil of a sinful way, and the benefit of righteousness; and supply what thy friends have omitted in their discourses with thee. 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 35:3-4

Is goodness profitable? I. A NATURAL QUESTION . Job is driven to put this question; or, rather, Elihu concludes that Job's language shows that the patriarch is debating it within himself. Satan had sneered at the notion of disinterested goodness, and had asked, "Doth Job fear God for naught?" ( Job 1:9 ). Now Job is begin-nine to see that the profits of goodness, as they are commonly believed in, do not accrue, for good men suffer as much as other men, if not more. The utilitarian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 35:4

I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee ; i.e. "thy comforters, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar." Elihu has pledged himself to confute their reasonings, no less than those of Job ( Job 32:5-20 ), and now proposes to carry out this intention. But it is not very clear that he accomplish, s his purpose. In point of fact, he does little more than repeat and expand the argument of Eliphaz ( Job 22:2 , Job 22:3 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 35:4

I will answer thee - Margin, “return to thee words.” Elihu meant to explain this more fully than it had been done by the friends of Job, and to show where Job was in error.And thy companions with thee - Eliphaz, in Job 22:2, had taken up the same inquiry, and proposed to discuss the subject, but he had gone at once into severe charges against Job, and been drawn into language of harsh crimination, instead of making the matter clear, and Elihu now proposes to state just how it is, and to remove... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 35:4-8

Job 35:4-8. I will answer thee, and thy companions That is, those who are of thy opinion. Look unto the heavens, &c. Cast up thine eyes to the heavens; look upon the clouds and the sky; and consider that, high as they are, they are not so much above thee, as God is above them. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? Thy sins do him no hurt, and therefore thy righteousness brings him no benefit, as it follows. What receiveth he of thy hand? He gaineth nothing by it, nor can... read more

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