Moralia in Job 1074

Verses 10 and 11. — Far be impiety from God, and iniquity from the Almighty. For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of each he will requite them. 44. In this life God does not always render to each according to their works. — He spoke well, in that in God the Almighty there is no iniquity or impiety. But in this life it is by no means always done, as he added, that he renders to each according to his work and according to his own ways. For many who commit unlawful and perverse deeds he anticipates with unmerited grace and turns to holy works; and some who are given to right deeds he chastens with a scourge coming upon them, and thus afflicts those who please him as though they displeased, Solomon bearing witness, who says:

There are just men to whom many things happen, as though they had done the works of the wicked; and there are wicked men who are as secure as if they had the deeds of the just (Eccl. 8:14). This indeed the Almighty God dispenses with inestimable mercy, so that scourges may torment even the just, lest they exalt their works; and that the unjust may at least pass through this life without punishment, because by doing evil they hasten toward torments that are without end. For that the just are sometimes by no means scourged according to their works, is shown by this very history which we are treating. For that same blessed Job had not been scourged for a fault, who before the goad of the scourge was praised by the Judge himself bearing witness. More truly, therefore, would Elihu have spoken, if he had said:

That in God the Almighty there is no impiety or iniquity, even when he does not appear to render to men according to their own ways. For even that which is not understood by us is brought forth from the balance of his hidden judgment, and not unjustly. But because arrogant preachers, while they scatter many empty things, also often bring forth what is true and solid, Elihu rightly adds: