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William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Ecclesiastes 5:2 To bind myself to diligence in seeking the Lord, and to stir me up thereto, I made a vow to pray so many times a day; how many times I cannot be positive; but it was at least thrice. It was the goodness of God to me, that it was made only for a definite space of time; but I found it so far from being a help, that it was really a hindrance to my devotion, making me more heartless in, and averse to, duty, through the corruption of my nature. I got the pain of it driven out... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

SECOND SECTIONThe Quest Of The Chief Good In Devotion To The Affairs Of BusinessEcclesiastes 3:1 - Ecclesiastes 5:20I. IF the true Good is not to be found in the School where Wisdom utters her voice, nor in the Garden in which Pleasure spreads her lures: may it not be found in the Market, in devotion to Business and Public Affairs? The Preacher will try this experiment also. He gives himself to study and consider it. But at the very outset he discovers that he is in the iron grip of immutable... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

The Conclusion. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20For himself Coheleth has a very decided opinion on this point. He is quite sure that his first conclusion is sound, though for a moment he had questioned its soundness, and that a quiet, cheerful, and obedient heart is greater riches than the wealthiest estate. With all the emphasis of renewed and now immovable conviction he declares, Behold, that which I have said holds good; it is well for a man to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labours... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

3. Exhortations on Different Vanities CHAPTER 5 1. Concerning worship and vows (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ) 2. Concerning extortions (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 ) 3. The vanities of wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 ) 4. The conclusion (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 ) Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 . The writer, King Solomon, seems to have been exhausted in his descriptions as to the things under the sun. He pauseth and turns to something different. He meditates on worship, that man aims to get in touch with the unseen God.... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

VARIETIES IN WORSHIP (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ) On these verses the writer seems to muse on the relation of the unseen Being to the act of man in worship. Mindful of man’s jaunty liberalism and superstition, rash vows and wordy prayers, dreamy and unreal, because full of intruding vanities and worldly businesses, the preacher earnestly exhorts to few words and solemn steps. But even then it is the natural man only who is speaking in the exhortation, not the regenerate man, because he speaks only... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

A Call to Reverence Ecclesiastes 5:0 The subject is now changed. Up to this time we have had Coheleth's view of life given with much graphic force and vividness. We have seen his world a mere card-house of a world, well painted and wonderfully gilded, yet cold and full of discontent, with "Vanity of vanities" written in boldest letters over its portals. Now Coheleth turns to a higher theme. Yet, though the subject has changed, there is no change in the main principle. Coheleth is still talking... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. (9) Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. (10) He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. (11) When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:19

Delight, while he observes due moderation. His life passes away sweetly. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

18-20 Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory. Let this... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Abstaining from Vices and Fostering Virtues v. 8. If thou seest the oppression of the poor, 4:1, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, 3:16, marvel not at the matter, for such things are to be expected in this wicked world, 1 Peter 4:12, wherefore the believers should also not be worried about the eventual trend of justice; for He that is higher than the highest regardeth, and there be higher than they, above all the rulers of this world is the great Sovereign of... read more

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