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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, Eccl. 2:11. I. If a man be acute, and dexterous, and successful in his business, he gets the ill-will of his neighbours, Eccl. 4:4. Though he takes a great deal of pains, and goes through all travail, does not get his estate easily, but it costs him a great deal of hard labour, nor does he get it dishonestly, he wrongs no man,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4

Again I considered all travail, and every right work ,.... The pains that men take to do right works. Some apply themselves, with great diligence and industry, to the study of the liberal arts and sciences; and to attain the knowledge of languages; and to writing books, for the improvement of those things, and the good of mankind: and others employ themselves in mechanic arts, and excel in them, and bring their works to great perfection and accuracy; when they might expect to be praised and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:4

For this a man is envied - It is not by injustice and wrong only that men suffer, but through envy also. For if a man act uprightly and properly in the world, he soon becomes the object of his neighbor's envy and calumny too. Therefore the encouragement to do good, to act an upright part, is very little. This constitutes a part of the vain and empty system of human life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man ' s inability to be the architect of his own happiness . There are many things which interrupt or destroy it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work . The word rendered "right" is kishron (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21 ), and means rather "dexterity," "success." Kohe-leth says that he reflected upon the industry that men exhibit, and the skill and dexterity with which they ply their incessant toil. There is no reference to moral rectitude in the reflection, and the allusion to the ostracism of Aristides for being called "Just" overshoots the mark (see Wordsworth, in loc .).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Secondly, success meets with envy, and produces no lasting good to the worker; yet, however unsatisfactory the result, man must continue to labor, as idleness is ruin. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:4

Every right work - Rather, every success in work.For this ... - i. e., “This successful work makes the worker an object of envy.” Some understand the meaning to be, “this work is the effect of the rivalry of man with his neighbor.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:4

Ecclesiastes 4:4. Again I considered all travail Hebrew כל עמל , all the labour, toil, or trouble, which men undertake or undergo; and every right work All the worthy designs of virtuous men; that for this a man is envied of his neighbour Instead of that honour and recompense which he deserves, he meets with nothing but envy, and obloquy, and many evil fruits thereof. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

The uselessness of achievement (4:4-16)Several examples illustrate how useless much human activity is. Some people drive themselves in their work but can never relax and enjoy it, because they are always worrying about being ahead of everyone else. Others do not work at all and so ruin themselves. Both extremes should be avoided. People should work for a living and enjoy it, but they should not be so ambitious that they create trouble for themselves (4-6).Other unhappy people are those who... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 4:4

travail = toil, as connected with trouble, sorrow. Not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:13 ; Ecclesiastes 2:23 , Ecclesiastes 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 4:8 ; Ecclesiastes 5:14 . every right work = all the dexterity in work. man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . vexation, &c. = feeding on wind. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:14 . spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more

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