Ecclesiastes 7:14

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

The interval between this chapter and the preceding represents a pause in the writer’s thought, and now he seems to set out on a new quest for the chief good in life. He will seek it in wise conduct. He will renounce feasting and trying the opposite (Ecclesiastes 7:1-6 ); he will avoid extremes (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 ); no one is perfectly righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 ); the worst thing he has found is woman (Ecclesiastes 7:23-26 ); and the conclusion is that man is indeed a fallen creature... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Some Striking Views of Human Nature Ecclesiastes 7-8 We are still in Coheleth's memorandum-book. There is little or no connection between these scattered sentences. To read them is like stepping upon stones that have been laid in a brook, rather than crossing a well-built bridge. There is a mournful tone in this seventh chapter. It is full of dyspeptic and disagreeable remarks. Cypress shadows lie over it, with hardly a breeze to disturb them and to let the light twinkle and sparkle between... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 7:14

Contrastive Days In Life Ecc 7:14 The wise man is speaking of two different days: the one he calls the day of prosperity, the other he calls the day of adversity. Looking upon both the days he says, "God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him." The wise man gives a direction for the one day in these terms: "In the day of prosperity be joyful" wisely merry; "in the day of adversity," he continues, be sad-hearted, frown with... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-15

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. (12) For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. (13) Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? (14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. (15)... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:14

Despised. God never neglects first. (Council of Trent, Session vi. 11.) --- He detests sin, and at last abandons the obstinate, though he never fails to offer sufficient graces. A person who is of an unhealthy constitution, or involved in sin, cannot be cured by man alone. Yet we must not cease to preach, &c., while we expect all from God, who gives the increase, 1 Corinthians iii. 7. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no, not by a zeal for God. Be not conceited of thine... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Contempt of the World and the Spirit Of Calm Resignation v. 1. A good name, an excellent reputation before men and a high regard in the sight of God, is better than precious ointment, which was highly valued in the Orient for its refreshing odor; and the day of death than the day of one's birth, for at birth a person's fate is as yet unknown, while on the day of death life with all its vanities lies behind. To the believer particularly death means a deliverance from all evil, Php_1:23 . v.... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

B. The true Wisdom of Life consists in Contempt of the World, Patience, and Fear of GodEcclesiastes 7:1-221. In contempt of the world and its foolish lusts(Ecclesiastes 7:1-7.)1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the 2day of one’s birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his 3heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

The preacher now proceeded to the inculcation of indifference toward all the facts of life as the only attitude which is in the least likely to be satisfactory. This he did, first, by a series of maxims. In all of these there is an element of truth, and yet here they express the gravest pessimism, the bitterest disappointment. "A good name is better than precious ointment," and yet "the day of death is better than the day of . . . birth"; and if these two statements are connected, it is easy... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Chapter 7 It Is Good To Be Aware of Death, To Listen To Rebuke, To Behave Wisely, Even Though Life Is Unfair. But The World Is Full of Wickedness. The emphasis of the book from now on includes the thought of living wisely and of man considering his ways and being wise. It is as though having convinced himself of the purposelessness and transience of things (which he will still on the whole maintains) he wants to make men behave with wisdom. The thought of the vanity of life is not to be... read more

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