Job 22:4

“Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? etc.] That is, chastise, correct, and afflict, for fear that hurt should be done unto him; no, he will not; for as the goodness of men does not profit him, the sinfulness of men does not hurt him, (see <183506>Job 35:6,8). Kings and civil magistrates sometimes chastise offenders, not only to do justice to them, but through fear of them, lest, if spared or connived at, they should be hurtful to the state, and overturn it; but though sin is an act of hostility against God, and strikes at his being and government, yet he is in no fear of being ruined or dethroned, or of having his government taken out of his hands, and therefore does not chastise men on…”

“Is the punishment inflicted on thee from fear of thee, in order to disarm thee? as Job had implied (see on Job 7:12; Job 7:20; and Job 10:17). will he enter . . . into judgment?-- Job had desired this (Job 13:3, Job 13:21). He ought rather to have spoken as in Psa 143:2.”

“Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? - Or, rather, will he come into trial, and argue his cause before a tribunal, because he is afraid that his character will suffer, or because he feels himself bound to appear, and answer to the charges which may be brought? The language is all taken from courts of justice, and the object is, to reprove Job as if he felt that it was necessary that God should appear and answer to what he alleged against him. Will he enter with thee into judgment? - Will he condescend to enter on a trial with one like thee? Will he submit his cause to a trial with man, as if he were an equal, or as if man had any right to such an investigation? It is to be remembered, that…”

“Reprove - Punish thee. Because he is afraid, lest if he should let thee alone, thou wouldst grow too great and powerful for him: surely no. As thy righteousness cannot profit him, so thy wickedness can do him no hurt. Job 22:5”

“reprove: Psa 39:11, Psa 76:6, Psa 80:16; Rev 3:19 for fear: Job 7:12 will he enter: Job 9:19, Job 9:32, Job 14:3, Job 16:21, Job 23:6, Job 23:7, Job 34:23; Psa 130:3, Psa 130:4, Psa 143:2; Ecc 12:14; Isa 3:14, Isa 3:15 Job 22:5”