Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

Solomon, in these verses, recommends wisdom to us as the best antidote against those distempers of mind which we are liable to, by reason of the vanity and vexation of spirit that there are in the things of this world. Here are some of the praises and the precepts of wisdom. I. The praises of wisdom. Many things are here said in its commendation, to engage us to get and retain wisdom. 1. Wisdom is necessary to the right managing and improving of our worldly possessions: Wisdom is good with an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:20

For there is not a just man upon earth ,.... Or "although", or "notwithstanding" F4 כי "quamvis", Junius & Tremelllus, Amama, so Broughton; "attamen", Grotius. , wisdom is so beneficial, and guards and strengthens a good man, yet no man has such a share of it as to live without sin; there was not then one on earth, there never had been, one, nor never would be, nor has been, excepting the man Christ Jesus; who indeed, as man, was perfectly just, while here on earth, and went... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:21

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken ,.... Seeing so it is, that imperfection attends the best of men, no man is wise at all times, foolish words and unguarded expressions will sometimes drop from him, which it is better to take no notice of; they should not be strictly attended to, and closely examined, since they will not bear it. A man should not listen to everything that is said of himself or others; he should not curiously inquire what men say of him; and what he himself... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:22

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth ,.... Or "thy conscience", as the Vulgate Latin version, which is as a thousand witnesses; which, if a man attends to, he will be convinced of his own faults, failings, and infirmities, he is frequently in the commission of. Particularly, that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others ; either in heart, or with the tongue; thought ill of them, wished ill to them; spoke contemptibly of them, reviled and reproached them; called them by bad names,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:20

There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not - יחטא לא lo yechta , that may not sin. There is not a man upon earth, however just he may be, and habituated to do good, but is peccable - liable to commit sin; and therefore should continually watch and pray, and depend upon the Lord. But the text does not say, the just man does commit sin, but simply that he may sin; and so our translators have rendered it in 1 Samuel 2:25 , twice in 1 Kings 8:31 , 1 Kings 8:46 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:21

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken - This is good advice, and much for every man's peace through life. Thy servant curse thee - מקללך mekallelecha , make light of thee, speak evil of thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:22

Thou thyself - hast cursed others - קללת kalalta , thou hast spoken evil; hast vilified others. O, who is free from evil speaking, from uncharitable speaking; from detailing their neighbor's faults, from whispering, talebearing, and backbiting? Do not wonder if God, in his justice, permit thee to be calumniated, seeing thou hast so frequently calumniated others. See my discourse on Psalm 15:1-5 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

Section 3. Warnings against excesses , and praise of the golden mean , which is practical wisdom and the art of living happily. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:20

The wisdom above signified is, indeed, absolutely necessary, if one would escape the consequences of that frailty of nature which leads to transgression. Wisdom shows the sinner a way out of the evil course in which he is walking, and puts him back in that fear of God which is his only safety. For there is not a just man upon earth. The verse confirms Ecclesiastes 7:19 . Even the just man sinneth, and therefore needs wisdom. That doeth good, and sinneth not. This reminds us of the words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:21

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken ; literally, give not thy heart , as Ecclesiastes 1:13 , etc. Here is another matter in which .wisdom will lead to right conduct. You will not pay serious attention to evil reports either about yourself or others, nor regulate your views and actions according to such distortions of the truth. To be always hankering to know what people say of us is to set up a false standard, which will assuredly lead us astray; and, at the same time, we... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:21

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