Ecclesiastes 8:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. I. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Eccl. 8:14. 1. He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:14

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth ,.... Transacted in this lower world under the sun, through the permission and direction of divine Providence; not that it is a vanity on the part of God, who has wise ends to answer by it, for the good of his people, the trial of their graces, &c.; or to bring sinners to repentance, or harden them in sin; but this shows the vanity and uncertainty of all worldly things, and that there is no happiness to be had in them; that there be just ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:14

There be just men - See on Ecclesiastes 7:16 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10-15

Section 6. Koheleth is troubled by apparent anomalies in God's moral government. He notes the prosperity of the godless and the misery of the righteous, God's abstention and the seeming impunity of sinners make men incredulous of Providence; but God is just in reward and punishment, as the end will prove. Meantime, returning to his old maxim, he advises men patiently to acquiesce in things as they are, and to make the best of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:14

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth . The vanity is named in what follows, viz. the seeming injustice it, the distribution of good and evil. There be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked (comp. Ecclesiastes 8:10 ; Ecclesiastes 3:16 ). The melancholy fact is noted that the righteous often experience that fate with which the wicked ,are threatened, which their conduct might be expected to bring upon them. The verb translated "happeneth" ( naga ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:14

Which is done upon the earth - The instance of vanity, to which these words are applied, is the seeming inequality of God’s justice; but if they are considered in connection with the profession of personal faith in God’s absolute justice Ecclesiastes 8:12, the conclusion is irresistible, that, whatever reason the Preacher had for reserve in declaring his belief, he certainly looked forward to final judgment in a future state of existence (compare Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 12:14). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:14-15

Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. There is a vanity which is done upon the earth Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God’s providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. To whom it happeneth, &c. Who meet with such usage as the worst of men deserve. There be wicked men to whom it happeneth Who, instead of those punishments which they deserve, receive... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Compromise, despair and joy (8:1-17)Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). If, for example, people work in the king’s palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. But if they find the king’s command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. They will wait for a suitable... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 8:14

upon the earth. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:2 . just = righteous. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:14

SOLOMON'S SOLUTION FOR THE VANITY"There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said, This also is vanity. Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that which shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath... read more

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