Job 34:11

Job 34:11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.

Ver. 11. For the work of a man shall he render unto him] This is both his covenant and his custom; so far is he from doing wrong to any, that every man shall be sure to reap as he sows, to drink as he brews, to receive according to that he hath done in the flesh, whether good or evil, 2Co 5:10. And albeit this is not done forthwith, yet we may write upon it, and reckon that nondum onmium dierum soles occiderunt; as sure as the night followeth the day, a day of account will come, and God will render unto each man reward or punishment according to his works.

And cause every man to find according to his ways] According to the course of his life, and not according to this or that particular action. A Doeg may set his foot as far within the sanctuary as a David; and a David may in some particular out sin a firebrand of hell. But "the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings," Pro 5:21. He considereth the bent, frame, and tendency of the heart, and proceeds accordingly.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

34:11 according to their deeds: Cp. Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12; Jer 32:19; Ezek 33:20; Matt 16:27; Rom 2:6; Gal 6:7-8; 1 Pet 1:17. The ultimate harvest will take place at the end of time (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 2:23; 22:12).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Partly here; fully, hereafter (Jer 32:19; Rom 2:6; Pe1 1:17; Rev 22:12).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 11. For the work of a man shall he render] God ever will do justice; the righteous shall never be forsaken, nor shall the wicked ultimately prosper.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly,.... This truth is repeated and affirmed in the strongest manner; or "will not condemn", as the Vulgate Latin version, and so the Targum, that is, he will not condemn the righteous; for, though he may afflict them, which is done that they may not be condemned with the world, he will not condemn them; for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ; his righteousness, by which they are justified, secures them from all condemnation;

neither will the Almighty pervert judgment: pronounce a wrong sentence, decline the execution of justice, swerve from the rule of it, or do a wrong thing; for he punishes wherever he finds it, either in the sinner or his surety; and his punishing it in his Son, as the surety of his people, is the strongest proof of his punitive justice that can be given: nor does he neglect to chastise his people for sin, though satisfied for; so far is he from conniving at sin, and still further from committing it; see See Gill on Job 8:2.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

For the work of a man shall he render unto him - He shall treat each man as he deserves - and this is the essence of justice. Of the truth of this, also, there could have been no question. Elihu does not, indeed, apply it to the case of Job, but there can be little doubt that he intended that it should have such a reference. He regarded Job as having accused God of injustice, for having inflicted woes on him which he by no means deserved. He takes care, therefore, to state this general principle, that with God there must be impartial justice - leaving the application of this principle to the facts in the world, to be arranged as well as possible. No one can doubt that Elihu in this took the true ground, and that the great principle is to be held that God can do no wrong, and that all the facts in the universe must be consistent with this great principle, whether we can now see it to be so or not.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The work, i.e. the reward of his work, or according to his work. Job’s afflictions, though great and sharp, are not undeserved, but justly inflicted upon him, both for his original corruption, and for many actual transgressions, which are manifest to God, though Job, through his partiality, may not see them. And Job’s piety shall be recompensed, it may be, in this life, but undoubtedly in the next. And therefore piety is not unprofitable, as Job saith.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

11. The work of a man — פעל. The same as in Job_7:2, (which see,) and, like the Sanscrit karman, involves the ideas of deed and desert. The deed essentially contains the desert, so that in the thought of man, as well as that of God, the one necessitates the other.

For — Rather, or much more. And cause every man to find, etc. — The literal rendering of this clause discloses a startling element of retribution. It reads: “According to a man’s way, He causeth it to find him.” However wide the orbit in which retribution moves, sooner or later it overtakes the evil-doer. See note, Job_4:8.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the work of a man shall he render unto him. God "rewardeth every man according to his work", (Psa_62:1-3) renders to each one good or evil, according as his own deeds have been the one or the other. But this must be understood of the man"s whole conduct, and God"s entire treatment of him. Such an absolute rectitude of God"s moral government, considered as a whole, is implied and involved in his absolute and perfect justice. And cause every man to find according to his ways. We "find according to our ways" when, having "ploughed iniquity, and sown wickedness, we reap the same", (Job_4:8) or when, on the other hand, having "sown in righteousness, we reap in mercy". (Hos_10:12) Exact retribution is the law of God"s rule; but the exactness cannot be seen, or tested, or demonstrated in this life. It will appear, however, and be recognized by all, at the consummation of all things.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.