For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that God's justice isn't just about a cosmic scorekeeping; it's intrinsically woven into the fabric of how things unfold. God acts according to a person's ways, meaning our choices and actions have real consequences that God Himself ensures will play out. This isn't just about future rewards or punishments, but about the very real impact of our lives unfolding as they do, according to how we've lived.
For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elihu is challenging Job's insistence on his own innocence and questioning God's justice. He argues that God is absolutely righteous and cannot act wickedly. Elihu asserts that God does justly repay everyone according to their actions, implying that Job's suffering must therefore be a consequence of his deeds, even if Job doesn't see them.
Does God truly 'pay back' every person for what they do? This verse speaks directly to the heart of divine justice, connecting our actions to their outcomes.
Elihu asserts a fundamental truth: God's justice is impartial and active. He doesn't just observe; He repays.
The Measure of Justice
The verse highlights two key aspects of God's repayment:
God's justice isn't a blunt instrument; it's nuanced, discerning the substance and spirit of our lives. What we do, and how we do it, are both part of the divine ledger.
We often see injustice in the world, leaving us to wonder if God's justice truly prevails. This verse points to a reality that spans beyond our current sight.
Elihu isn't just talking about immediate, visible consequences. While God's justice can be seen in this life, its full outworking is often reserved for the future.
The Full Reckoning
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Understand the original words
po‘al · Hebrew Noun
Actions or deeds performed by individuals, often used in scripture to denote the moral character and consistent conduct of a person's life that will be evaluated by God.
derek · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the moral behavior, course of life, or habitual patterns of conduct that a person follows; in theology, God judges men based on the consistency of these paths.
Job's discourse, particularly Elihu's words here, grapples with the nature of God's justice during a time when the exile and subsequent return had profoundly challenged traditional views of divine reward and punishment.
c. 6th century BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
Many Judeans, including members of the royal family and educated elite, were deported to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar's conquests. This period deeply impacted Jewish theology and understanding of God's justice.
c. 540-530 BC
Darius I rules Persian Empire
The Persian Empire, which conquered Babylon, established a vast administrative system. This era saw a complex interplay of cultures and laws, influencing ideas about divine and human justice.
c. 5th century BC
Persian Rule over Judea
Following the exile, many Jews returned to Jerusalem and lived under Persian governance. This prolonged period of foreign rule raised questions about God's sovereignty and justice, especially during times of hardship.
c. 5th-4th century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period
This era focused on rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple, and re-establishing Jewish identity. Debates about divine retribution and the suffering of the righteous, as seen in Job, were prominent.
This verse echoes Job's statement by emphasizing God's powerful and far-reaching justice, stating that He repays everyone according to their actions and their deeds.
Romans 2:6Paul directly quotes or alludes to this principle, declaring that God 'will render to each one according to his works,' highlighting that God's judgment is impartial and based on our actions.
Psalm 62:12This psalm also affirms God's justice, stating that He will render to each person 'according to what he has done,' reinforcing the idea that our deeds have consequences in God's eyes.
Galatians 6:7This verse presents the principle of sowing and reaping, a relatable analogy for God repaying according to our ways. What we sow in our lives, whether good or bad, will determine the harvest we experience.
Revelation 22:12In the final vision of God's justice, Jesus declares, 'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me to give to each as his work is.' This shows the ultimate fulfillment of God's just repayment.
clarkeJob 34:11: "For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways."
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.
barnesJob 34:11: "For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways."
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 havi…
What's striking here is that God's justice isn't just about a cosmic scorekeeping; it's intrinsically woven into the fabric of how things unfold. God acts according to a person's ways, meaning our choices and actions have real consequences that God Himself ensures will play out. This isn't just about future rewards or punishments, but about the very real impact of our lives unfolding as they do, according to how we've lived.
Elihu is challenging Job's insistence on his own innocence and questioning God's justice. He argues that God is absolutely righteous and cannot act wickedly. Elihu asserts that God does justly repay everyone according to their actions, implying that Job's suffering must therefore be a consequence of his deeds, even if Job doesn't see them.
Elihu is challenging Job's insistence on his own innocence and questioning God's justice. He argues that God is absolutely righteous and cannot act wickedly. Elihu asserts that God does justly repay everyone according to their actions, implying that Job's suffering must therefore be a consequence of his deeds, even if Job doesn't see them.
"For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him." — What's striking here is that God's justice isn't just about a cosmic scorekeeping; it's intrinsically woven into the fabric of how things unfold. God acts according to a person's ways, meaning our ch…
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Last reviewed October 2026