Ecclesiastes 11:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Solomon had often, in this book, pressed it upon rich people to take the comfort of their riches themselves; here he presses it upon them to do good to others with them and to abound in liberality to the poor, which will, another day, abound to their account. Observe, I. How the duty itself is recommended to us, Eccl. 11:1. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters, thy bread-corn upon the low places (so some understand it), alluding to the husbandman, who goes forth, bearing precious seed, sparing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit ,.... If indeed a man could foresee and be assured of seasonable weather for sowing and reaping, or a proper opportunity for doing good, all circumstances agreeing, it would be right to wait for it, and take it; but as these things are not in our power, nor within the compass of our knowledge, we should take the first opportunity of doing good, and leave the issue to divine Providence: as in many things in nature we are and should be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed ,.... Do all good works early and diligently, which is expressed by sowing in righteousness, Hosea 10:12 ; particularly alms deeds, often signified by sowing seed, Psalm 112:9 , 2 Corinthians 9:6 ; this should be in the morning of youth, that persons may be inured to it betimes as Obadiah was; and in the morning of prosperity, as soon as ever Providence smiles on men, and puts it into the power of their hands, who should honour the Lord with the firstfruits... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not - the way of the spirit - Why God should have permitted such an such persons to fall into want, and how they came into all their distresses, thou canst not tell, no more than thou canst how their soul is united to their body, how it came to inform that body, or how the child was formed in the womb of its mother. Nor canst thou discern the end which God has in view in these things. He maketh all, every thing is open to him; and take heed lest, while pretending motives of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed - Be ready at all times to show mercy; begin in the morning, continue till the evening. Thou knowest not the most worthy object; it is enough that God knoweth; and if thy motive be good, he will applaud and reward thee; not according to the worthiness or unworthiness of the object of thy charity, but according to the motive which induced thee to relieve him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Section 16. Leaving alone unanswerable questions, man's duty and happiness are found in activity, especially in doing all the good in his power, for he knows not how soon he himself may stand in need of help. This is the first remedy for the perplexities of life . The wise man will not charge himself with results. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit. In this verse are presented one or two examples of man's ignorance of natural facts and processes as analogous to the mysteries of God's moral government. The word translated "spirit" ( ruach ) may mean also "wind," and is so taken hero by many commentators (see Ecclesiastes 1:6 ; Ecclesiastes 8:8 ; and comp. John 3:8 ). In this view there would be two instances given, viz. the wind and the embryo. Certainly, the mention of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed . Do not let your ignorance of the future and the inscrutability of God's dealings lead you to indolence and apathy; do your appointed work; be active and diligent in your calling. The labor of the farmer is taken as a type of business generally, and was especially appropriate to the class of persons whom Koheleth is instructing. The injunction occurs naturally after Ecclesiastes 11:4 . And in the evening withhold not thine hand. Labor on untiredly from morn... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:3-6

“Unforeseen events come from God; and the man who is always gazing on the uncertain future will neither begin nor complete any useful work: but do thou bear in mind that times and circumstances, the powers of nature and the results to which they minister, are in the hand of God; and be both diligent and trustful.” The images are connected chiefly with the occupation of an agricultural laborer: the discharge of rain from the cloud, and the inclination of the falling tree, and the direction of... read more

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