Job 22:4

God's treatment of men being for their sakes and according to what they are, it is inconceivable that He should chastise them for their piety.

for fear of thee Rather, for thy (godly) fear, thy piety; comp. ch. Job 4:6; Job 15:4 for this use of the word fearby Eliphaz. The words scarcely contain the idea that if God derived advantage from men's piety He might be supposed to afflict them in order to increase their godliness (Ew.). The simple thought is that man's conduct does not affect God. If God deals with man it is on account of man himself. Can it be supposed then that God would afflict a man because he is pious? (Job 22:4). This is too extravagant a suggestion, therefore if Job is afflicted it is for his sins (Job 22:5). Job 22:4 forms a mere foreground to Job 22:5 seq., in order to suggest by contrast the real cause of Job's calamities.