2 "Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person benefit him?
2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
2 "Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.
2 "Are any of us strong enough to give God a hand, or smart enough to give him advice?
2 "Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?
2 "Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"
35 Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?
35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?"
35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
(Read Romans 11:33-36)
The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, Ephesians 3:18, and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God's relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God's glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 22:2
Commentary on Job 22:1-4
(Read Job 22:1-4)
Eliphaz considers that, because Job complained so much of his afflictions, he thought God was unjust in afflicting him; but Job was far from thinking so. What Eliphaz says, is unjustly applied to Job, but it is very true, that when God does us good it is not because he is indebted to us. Man's piety is no profit to God, no gain. The gains of religion to men are infinitely greater than the losses of it. God is a Sovereign, who gives no account of his conduct; but he is perfectly wise, just, faithful, good, and merciful. He approves the likeness of his own holiness, and delights in the fruits of his Spirit; he accepts the thankful services of the humble believer, while he rejects the proud claim of the self-confident.