Ecclesiastes 12

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:9

The preacher was wise; which he affirmeth not out of vain ostentation, but partly to procure the more credit and acceptance to his doctrine and, counsel here delivered; and partly to declare his repentance for his former follies, and God’s great mercy in restoring his wisdom to him. Taught the people knowledge; as God gave him this wisdom, that he might be a teacher of others, so he used it to that end; therefore despise not his counsel. He gave good heed; he did not rashly and foolishly utter... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:10

Acceptable words, Heb. desirable or delightful, worthy of all acceptation, such as would minister comfort and profit so the hearers or readers. Written by the preacher in this and his other books. Upright, Heb. right or straight, agreeable to the mind or will of God, which is the rule of right, not crooked or perverse. Words of truth; not fables cunningly devised to deceive the simple, but true and certain doctrines, which commend themselves to men’s own consciences or reasons; wholesome and... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:11

The words of the wise; not of secularly or politicly wise men, but of the spiritually wise and holy men of God; of which, and not of the former, this whole context treats. As goads, and as nails, piercing into men’s dull minds and hard hearts, and quickening and provoking them to the practice of all their duties. Fastened; which do not only amuse and startle men for the present, as the wise and grave counsels of moral philosophers frequently do, but make powerful and abiding impressions in... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:12

By these; by these wise men, and their words or writings, of which he spoke in the foregoing verse. Be admonished; take your instructions from them, for their words are right and true, as he said, Ecclesiastes 12:10, whereas the words of other men are false, or at best doubtful. Of making many books there is no end; I could easily write many books and large volumes upon these matters, but that were an endless and needless work, seeing things necessary to be known and done lie in a little... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:13

The conclusion of the whole matter; the sum and substance of all that hath been said or written by wise men, so far as it is necessary for us to know. Fear God; which is synecdoically put here, as it is very frequently in Scripture, for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please God, and a loathness to offend him, and an aptness to tremble at his word and judgments. Keep his commandments: this is fitly added as a necessary... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God shall bring every work into judgment: this is added either, 1. As a reason of what he last said, this is the whole of man, because all men must give an account to God of all their works, and this alone will enable them to do that with joy, and not with grief. Or, 2. As another argument to press the foregoing exhortation, Fear God, and keep his commandments, for you must be called to judgment about it, &c. With every secret thing; not only outward and visible actions, but even inward... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

CRITICAL NOTES.—Ecclesiastes 12:1. Thy Creator.] The Hebrew word is in the plural form, denoting the fulness and wealth of the Divine nature. While the evil days come not.] The time of joyless old age as contrasted with the glad season of youth. Ecclesiastes 12:2. While the sun, or the light, or the stars be not darkened.] The separate mention of the sun and light is not to be considered as tautology. Aben Ezra explains that by the light is signified the morning light, which, though identical... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:8-11

CRITICAL NOTES.—Ecclesiastes 12:8. Vanity of vanities.] This repetition of chapter Ecclesiastes 1:2 shows that these words are intended to be placed at the head of the conclusion of the book. They introduce the epilogue. Ecclesiastes 12:10. Acceptable words.] Pleasant, agreeable words. We are reminded of the “gracious words” of Our Lord. (Luke 4:22.) And that which was written was upright.] In accordance with the standard. They corresponded with eternal realities, and were, therefore, true.... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

CRITICAL NOTES.—Ecclesiastes 12:12. My Son.] An expression appropriate to the master of wisdom when addressing his pupils; equivalent to “my scholar,” or “dear reader.” (Proverbs 1:8.) Of making many books there is no end.] The plural form sometimes denotes the parts of one treatise, and conveys the general idea of “much writing.” The word may be, therefore, rendered collectively, “in making a great book there is no end.” Great labour for little result. These words may also be understood of the... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:1

Ecclesiastes 12:1 I. There are certain characters which in youth lose part of their youth. Something has stepped in which has spoilt life. These characters after repression, and when the time of youth is past, grow young again. Existence is transfigured. The soul is gifted with new powers, and the heart with a wealth of new feelings. They cannot help making experiments with all these new instruments. Every day is delightful, for every day there is something fresh to be tried; and the life of... read more

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:9

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:10

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:11

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:12

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:14

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:8-11

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

Sermon Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:1

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