Job 22:2

“Can a man be profitable unto God? etc.] Eliphaz imagined that Job thought so, by his insisting so much on his integrity, and complaining of his afflictions; and that God was beholden to him for his holiness and righteousness, and that instead of afflicting him, should have heaped honours and happiness upon him; whereas there is not anything a man can do, or does, by which God can be profiled; which is a very great truth, though misapplied to Job through a wrong construction of his words and meaning. No man, even the best of men, and by the best things they can do, can be profitable to God; as for bad men, they are altogether unprofitable to themselves and to others, and still less profitable…”

“as he that is wise--rather, yea the pious man profiteth himself. So "understanding" or "wise"--pious (Dan 12:3, Dan 12:10; Psa 14:2) [MICHAELIS].”

“Can a man be profitable unto God? - Can a man confer any favor on God, so as to lay him under obligation? Eliphaz supposes that Job sets up a “claim” to the favor of God, because he was of service to him, or because God had something to fear if he was cut off. He maintains, therefore, that a man can confer no favor on God, so as to lay him under obligation. God is independent and supreme. He has nothing to gain if man is righteous - he has nothing to apprehend if he is punished. He is not dependent at all on man. As he that is wise - Margin, or, “if he may be profitable, doth his goodness depend thereon.” The meaning of the passage is, a wise man may promote his own advantage, but he cannot…”

“Can, &c. - Why dost thou insist so much upon thy own righteousness, as if thou didst oblige God by it. Job 22:3”

“22:2-3 Eliphaz did not understand that God would gain pleasure from Job’s righteousness (1:8; 2:3), as he does from every righteous person (1 Chr 29:17; Ps 147:10-11; Prov 11:1, 20; 12:22). God would also gain glory from Job’s steadfast faith, which emphasized the lie behind Satan’s challenge (Job 1:9-12; 2:4-6). • Job steadfastly claimed that he was perfect (23:10-12), as did God himself (1:1, 8; 2:3).”

“a man: Job 35:6-8; Psa 16:2; Luk 17:10 as he that: etc. or, if he may be profitable, doth his good success depend thereon, Job 21:15; Deu 10:13; Pro 3:13-18, Pro 4:7-9, Pro 9:12; Ecc 7:11, Ecc 7:12; Mat 5:29; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8 Job 22:3”