Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Thoughts on wisdom and folly (9:13-10:20)A simple story illustrates how a person may be wise and humble, but the good he does is not appreciated by those who benefit from it. Riches, status and a show of power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he is ignored or despised, even though his quiet words of wisdom may save a city from destruction (13-18).One foolish act can spoil a lot of good. Stupidity leads to wrongdoing and marks a person out as a fool in the eyes of everyone... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 9:17

fools = fat, inert. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:17

Ecclesiastes 9:17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet— The words of wise men are more minded among people of a sedate disposition, than the cry of war raised by a man in authority among the inconstant multitude. By this translation, the opposition designed by the author is preserved, as well as the allusion to the condition of a small town mentioned in the preceding parable. See Desvoeux, p. 420. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Solomon had been applying his mind with the greatest diligence to the study... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:17

17. The words of wise, &c.—Though generally the poor wise man is not heard ( :-), yet "the words of wise men, when heard in quiet (when calmly given heed to, as in :-), are more serviceable than," &c. ruleth—as the "great king" (Ecclesiastes 9:14). Solomon reverts to "the rulers to their own hurt" (Ecclesiastes 9:14- :). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:18

18. one sinner, c.— (Joshua 7:1 Joshua 7:11; Joshua 7:12). Though wisdom excels folly (Ecclesiastes 9:16; Ecclesiastes 7:19), yet a "little folly (equivalent to sin) can destroy much good," both in himself (Ecclesiastes 10:1; James 2:10) and in others. "Wisdom" must, from the antithesis to "sinner," mean religion. Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church (Luke 12:32; Hebrews 12:22); the great king to Satan (John 12:31); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ (Isaiah... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

Live Worthily While You May1-3. The future is in God’s hands. Good and bad alike must die.1. Considered in] RV ’laid to.’ Declare] RV ’explore.’ No man.. before them] RV ’whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them.’ Whether God’s dealings with them shall be such as to suggest His favour or displeasure is unknown, because the part of life not yet traversed cannot be penetrated. 2. There seems no discrimination in the lot of men.4. A living dog] Life has at any rate one... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

Ecclesiastes 9:2 It is verbally true, that in the sacred Scriptures it is written: As is the good, so is the sinner, and he that sweareth as he that feareth an oath. A man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, drink, and be merry, etc. But he who should repeat these words, and this assurance, to an ignorant man in the hour of his temptation, lingering at the door of an ale-house, or hesitating as to the testimony required of him in the court of justice, would, spite of this verbal... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

7FOURTH SECTIONThe Quest Achieved. The Chief Good Is To Be Found, Not In Wisdom, Nor In Pleasure, Nor In Devotion To Affairs And Its Rewards;But In A Wise Use And A Wise Enjoyment Of The Present Life, Combined With A Steadfast Faith In The Life To Come Ecclesiastes 8:16 - Ecclesiastes 12:7AT last we approach the end of our Quest. The Preacher has found the Chief Good, and will show us where to find it. But are we even yet prepared to welcome it and to lay hold of it? Apparently he thinks we are... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Nor in Devotion to Affairs and its Rewards. Ecclesiastes 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 10:1-20So far, then, Coheleth has been occupied in retracing the argument of the first Section of the Book. Now he returns upon the second and third Sections: he deals with the man who plunges into public affairs, who turns his wisdom to practical account and seeks to attain a competence, if not a fortune. He lingers over this stage of his argument, probably because the Jews, then as always, even in exile and under... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

2. Praise of Wisdom and Philosophy, theFinal Word and the Great Conclusion CHAPTER 9:13-18 Before he had declared that wisdom is strength. He comes back to this statement and gives an illustration of it. He is in a calmer mood, but what does his meditation amount to? Only to show that this also is vanity. read more

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