Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. If he will contend with him ] God is so holy, and his law so strict, that if he will enter into judgment with his creatures, the most upright of them cannot be justified in his sight.
One of a thousand. ] Of a thousand offenses of which he may be accused he cannot vindicate himself even in one. How little that any man does, even in the way of righteousness, truth, and mercy, can stand the penetrating eye of a just and holy God, when all motives, feelings, and objects, come to be scrutinized in his sight, on this ground, no man living can be justified. O, how necessary to fallen, weak, miserable, imperfect and sinful man, is the doctrine of justification by faith, and sanctification through the Divine Spirit, by the sacrificial death and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for how should man be jus with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with him in judgment, he could no justify one out of a thousand, of all the thoughts, words, and action of his life; therefore he deserved worse than all his presen sufferings. When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forget his complaints. We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which n creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough to hel others, will not be able to help themselves against it.
Original Hebrew אם518 יחפץ2654 לריב7378 עמו5973 לא3808 יעננו6030 אחת259 מני4480 אלף׃505
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