Ecclesiastes 12:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The great enquiry which Solomon prosecutes in this book is, What is that good which the sons of men should do? Eccl. 2:3. What is the true way to true happiness, the certain means to attain our great end? He had in vain sought it among those things which most men are eager in pursuit of, but here, at length, he has found it, by the help of that discovery which God anciently made to man (Job 28:28), that serious godliness is the only way to true happiness: Let us hear the conclusion of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter ,.... Or "the end" F15 סוף דבר הכל "finis verbi omnis", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus; "finis universi negotii", Tigurine version, so Vatablus. of it. The sum and substance of it, what it all tends to and issues in; even the whole of what is contained in this book, and in all offer divinely inspired writings of Solomon or others; of all that were now written, or before, or since: this the preacher calls upon himself, as well as his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:13

After all, the sum of the great business of human life is comprised in this short sentence, on which some millions of books have been already written! Fear God, and Keep His Commandments Know that He Is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Reverence him; pay him adoration. Love him, that you may be happy. Keep his commandments - They are contained in two words: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart;" "And thy neighbor as thyself." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

THE EPILOGUE . This contains some observations commendatory of the author, explaining his standpoint and the object of the book, the great conclusion to which it leads. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

The author warns against profitless study, and gives the final conclusion to which the whole discussion leads. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:13

The teaching of the whole book is now gathered up in two weighty sentences. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter . The Revised Version gives, This is the end of the matter ; all hath been heard . The Septuagint has, τέλος λόγου τὸ πᾶν ἄκουε , "The end of the matter, the sum, hear thou;" Vulgate, Finem loquendi pariter omnes audiamus. Another rendering is suggested, "The conclusion of the matter is this, that [God] taketh knowledge of all things;" literally,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable.Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began Ecclesiastes 1:2; and then states the encouraging practical... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Let us hear the conclusion, &c. The sum of all that hath been said or written by wise men. Fear God Which is put here for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please him; and keep his commandments This is properly added, as a necessary effect, and certain evidence of the true and genuine fear of God. Make conscience of practising whatever God enjoins, how costly, or troublesome, or dangerous... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Final comments (12:9-14)Those whom the writer taught were not only the sons of the rich who attended the wisdom schools, but also ordinary people around the city. His method of study was to consider all the wise teachings relevant to his subject, select the most suitable, then arrange them in a way that was interesting and helpful to his audience. However, he never twisted the truth to suit his own purposes (9-10). True wisdom teaching, such as that which the writer speaks of here, comes from... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:13

the conclusion. See note on "the end", Ecclesiastes 3:11 . God. Hebrew. 'eth ha-'Elohim = the [true and only] God; the great Creator, who throughout the book is put in contrast with man (Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .) the creature. App-4 . read more

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