Albert Barnes Commentary Job 35:3

"That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? [And], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?" — Job 35:3 (ASV)

For you said – Another sentiment of a similar kind which Elihu proposes to examine. He had already referred to this sentiment of Job in (Job 34:9), and examined it at some length, and had shown in reply to it that God could not be unjust, and that there was great impropriety when man presumed to arraign the justice of the Most High. He now refers to it again in order to show that God could not be benefited or injured by the conduct of man, and that he was, therefore, under no inducement to treat him other than impartially.

What advantage will it be to you? – see the notes at (Job 34:9). The phrase “to you,” refers to Job himself. He had said this to himself; or to his own soul. Such a mode of expression is not uncommon in the Scriptures.

And, What profit will I have if I am cleansed from my sin? – Margin, "or, by it more than by my sin." The Hebrew will allow either of these interpretations, and the sense is not significantly varied. The idea is, that as to good treatment or securing the favor of God under the arrangements of his government, a man might just as well be wicked as righteous. He would be as likely to be prosperous in the world, and to experience the tokens of the divine favor. Job had by no means advanced such a sentiment; but he had maintained that he was treated as if he were a sinner; that the dealings of Providence were not in this world in accordance with the character of people; and this was interpreted by Elihu as maintaining that there was no advantage in being righteous, or that a man might as well be a sinner.

It was for such supposed sentiments as these, that Elihu and the three friends of Job charged him with giving answers for wicked people, or maintaining opinions which went to sustain and encourage the wicked; see (Job 34:36).