The connection of this verse with Ecclesiastes 7:18-19 becomes clearer if it is borne in mind that the fear of God, wisdom, and justice, are merely different sides of one and the same character, the formation of which is the aim of all the precepts in this chapter. The words “just” Ecclesiastes 7:15, Ecclesiastes 7:20 and “righteous” Ecclesiastes 7:16 are exactly the same in Hebrew. read more
Curse ... cursed - Rather, speak evil of ... spoken evil of. read more
Ecclesiastes 7:18-20. It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this Embrace and practise this counsel last given. Also from this withdraw not thy hand From the practice of the preceding advice: for he that feareth God Who orders his actions so as to please God, and keep his commandments, walking by the rule of his word; shall come forth of them all Shall be delivered from all extremes, and from all the evil consequences of them. This verse seems more exactly rendered by a late... read more
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22. Take no heed unto all words that are spoken Namely, concerning thee, or against thee. Do not severely observe, or strictly search into them, or listen to hear them, as many persons out of curiosity, are wont to do. Under this one kind of offences which are most frequent, namely, those of the tongue, he seems to comprehend all injuries which we suffer from others, and advises that we should not too rigidly examine them, nor too deeply resent them, but rather neglect and... read more
Avoid extremes (7:15-29)One of the puzzles of life is that bad people often have long and prosperous lives, but good people suffer and sometimes die before they have had a chance to enjoy life. The writer suggests that people follow a middle course through life, where they do not ruin their lives through being either over-zealous for goodness and wisdom or over-tolerant towards sin and foolishness. Those who fear God will be successful in avoiding both extremes (15-18).Certainly, wisdom is... read more
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22. Curse thee—cursed others— Speaking evil of thee—hast spoken evil of others. Symmachus in both these places renders the word by λοιδορειν . Many good men's consciences will never accuse them of having cursed others; but where is he who never spoke an evil word of his neighbour? These two verses contain the fifth and last advice. The tranquillity of our mind is not to be disturbed by every idle report or discourse wherein we are wronged. We must not even mind such reports,... read more
20. Referring to :-. Be not "self-righteous," seek not to make thyself "just" before God by a superabundance of self-imposed performances; "for true 'wisdom,' or 'righteousness,' shows that there is not a just man," &c. read more
21. As therefore thou being far from perfectly "just" thyself, hast much to be forgiven by God, do not take too strict account, as the self-righteous do (Ecclesiastes 7:16; Luke 18:9; Luke 18:11), and thereby shorten their lives (Ecclesiastes 7:15; Ecclesiastes 7:16), of words spoken against thee by others, for example, thy servant: Thou art their "fellow servant" before God (Ecclesiastes 7:16- :). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:22
Oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. The appeal to a man's own conscience follows. The fact that we often speak ill of others should make us less open to take offence at what is said of ourselves, and prepared to expect unfavorable comments. The Lord has said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you" ( Matthew 7:1 , Matthew 7:2 ).... read more