Job 9:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:14-21

What Job had said of man's utter inability to contend with God he here applies to himself, and in effect despairs of gaining his favour, which (some think) arises from the hard thoughts he had of God, as one who, having set himself against him, right or wrong, would be too hard for him. I rather think it arises from the sense he had of the imperfection of his own righteousness, and the dark and cloudy apprehensions which at present he had of God's displeasure against him. I. He durst not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:20

If I justify myself ,.... Seek for justification by his own righteousness, trust in himself that he was righteous, say that he was so, and pronounce himself a righteous man, what would it signify? mine own mouth shall condemn me ; the words of it being sinful, vain, idle, and frothy; and if a man is to be justified, and condemned by his words, he may be sure of the latter: indeed, "if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man", James 3:2 ; but let a man be as careful as he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 9:20

If I justify myself - God must have some reason for his conduct towards me; I therefore do not pretend to justify myself; the attempt to do it would be an insult to his majesty and justice. Though I am conscious of none of the crimes of which you accuse me; and know not why he contends with me; yet he must have some reason, and that reason he does not choose to explain. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 9:1-35

Job, in answer to Bildad, admits the truth of his arguments, but declines to attempt the justification which can alone entitle him to accept the favourable side of Bildad's alternative. Man cannot absolutely justify himself before God. It is in vain to attempt to do so. The contest is too unequal. On the one side perfect wisdom and absolute strength (verse 4); on the other, weakness, imperfection, ignorance. guilt (verses 17-20). And no "daysman," or umpire, between them; no third party to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 9:2-20

God viewed as absolute and arbitrary Power. I. THE HELPLESSNESS OF MAN IN PRESENCE OF HIS OMNIPOTENCE . ( Job 9:1-3 .) What avails right on one's side against him who has all heaven's artillery at his command? "It is idle to argue with the Master of thirty legions." Out of a thousand questions with which the Almighty might overwhelm my mind, there is not one which I could answer with the chance of a fair hearing. Indeed, this in a sense is true, as the thirty-eighth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 9:11-20

Job to Bildad: 3. Creator and creature in conflict. I. THE DIVINE ASSAILANT . 1 . His mysterious movements. "Lo! he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not" (verse 11). The language, recalling Eliphaz's description of the shadowy spectre ( Job 4:15 ), recognizes: 2 . His resistless power. 3 . His unanswerable charges. II. THE HUMAN COMPLAINANT . 1 . Mistrusting the Divine condescension. Putting the case that he had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 9:20

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me . Since he could not wholly justify himself. "All men have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23 ). Job has already admitted the utterance of "rash words" ( Job 6:3 ), and, at least hypothetically, that he "has sinned" ( Job 7:20 ), and needs "pardon" for his "transgression" ( Job 7:1-21 :24). Job, if he tried to "justify himself," would have to acknowledge such shortcomings, such imperfections, such sins—at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 9:20

Self-justification. I. THE NEED TO BE JUSTIFIED . The burning necessity of justification lies at the root of Job's terrible agony. Yet even he does not feel it in its deep moral and spiritual significance, as it would have been felt by one who was conscious of sin rather than of undeserved suffering and unjust accusations. We cannot endure to be out of right relations with God. Though our lost state may not trouble us as yet, the time will come when we shall see its terrible and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 9:20

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me - That is, referring still to the form of a judicial trial, if I should undertake to manage my own cause, I should lay myself open to condemnation even in my argument on the subject, and should show that I was far from the perfection which I had undertaken to maintain. By passionate expressions; by the language of complaint and murmuring; by a want of suitable reverence; by showing my ignorance of the principles of the divine government; by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 9:20

Job 9:20. If I justify myself If I plead against God my own righteousness and innocence; my own mouth shall condemn me God is so infinitely wise, and just, and holy, that he will find sufficient matter of condemnation from my own words, though spoken with all possible care and circumspection; or he will discover so much imperfection in me, of which I was not aware, that I shall be compelled to join with him in condemning myself. If I say, I am perfect The words, I say, are not in the... read more

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