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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:11-15

We have seen what changes there are in the world, and must not expect to find the world more sure to us than it has been to others. Now here Solomon shows the hand of God in all those changes; it is he that has made every creature to be that to us which it is, and therefore we must have our eye always upon him. I. We must make the best of that which is, and must believe it best for the present, and accommodate ourselves to it: He has made every thing beautiful in his time (Eccl. 3:11), and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:13

And also that every man should eat and drink ,.... Not to excess, but in moderation; and yet freely, plentifully, and cheerfully; and not alone, but giving the poor a portion with him; and in all having in view the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31 ; and enjoy the good of all his labour ; take the comfort of what he has been labouring for, and not lay it up for, and leave it to, he knows not who: the Targum is, "and see good in his days, and cause his children, at the time of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Section 4. In confirmation of the truth that man's happiness depends upon the will of God, Koheleth proceeds to show how Providence arranges even the minutest concerns; that man can alter nothing, must make the best of things as they are, bear with anomalies, bounding his desires by this present life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:10-15

There is a plan and system in all the circumstances of man's life; he feels this instinctively, but he cannot comprehend it. His duty is to make the best of the present, and to recognize the immutability of the law that governs all things. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:13

And also that every man should eat and drink... it is the gift of God. This enforces and intensifies the statement in the preceding verse; not only the power to "do good," but even to enjoy what comes in his way (see on Ecclesiastes 2:24 ), man must receive from God. When we pray for our daily bread, we also ask for ability to take, assimilate, and profit by the supports and comforts afforded to us. "It" is better omitted, as "is the gift of God" forms the predicate of the sentence. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13. I know By clear reason, and my own long and certain experience; that there is no good in them No other satisfaction or felicity that a man can enjoy in creatures or worldly things; but for a man to rejoice and to do good To employ them freely and cheerfully in acts of charity and liberality toward others, or to use them to the glory of God, living in his fear, which is necessary to the happiness of this as well as of the other life. And also that every one should... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Events controlled by God’s fixed order (3:1-15)In 1:1-11 the author considered the ceaseless toil and repetition in the natural world and decided that life was useless. Now (ignoring for the moment the conclusions he has just outlined in 2:24-26) he considers the fixed order of events in the world. It appears to him that everything happens at the time God has decided it will happen. In view of this, all human effort to improve life is useless. People can change nothing (3:1-9).Human beings may... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:13

13. Literally, "And also as to every man who eats . . . this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18). When received as God's gifts, and to God's glory, the good things of life are enjoyed in their due time and order (Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Solomon repeated his former counsel in view of this limited perspective (cf. Ecclesiastes 2:24). "Do good" (Ecclesiastes 3:12) should read "enjoy themselves." We could translate Ecclesiastes 3:13, "If any man eats and drinks and finds satisfaction in all his toil, it is a gift of God." [Note: Christian D. Ginsburg, Song of Songs and Coheleth, pp. 311-12.] read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

The Practical Ideal. Acceptance of the Universal Scheme1-15. God is a God of order. The problem which the writer has set himself is not yet solved. He has found that wisdom, culture, pleasure, are all good, though, even if we combine them, there is still something lacking, and they will not explain the mystery of existence. In continuing to seek for a rule of life that shall lead him to the highest good, he reminds himself that God is a God of order, and wisdom lies in adapting ourselves to... read more

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