ecclesiastes-1-351

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

In this chapter we have, I. The inscription, or title of the book, Eccl. 1:1. II. The general doctrine of the vanity of the creature laid down (Eccl. 1:2) and explained, Eccl. 1:3. III. The proof of this doctrine, taken, 1. From the shortness of human life and the multitude of births and burials in this life, Eccl. 1:4. 2. From the inconstant nature, and constant revolutions, of all the creatures, and the perpetual flux and reflux they are in, the sun, wind, and water, Eccl. 1:5-7. 3. From the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

We are still among Solomon's happy men, his happy servants, that stood continually before him to hear his wisdom; and they are the choicest of all the dictates of his wisdom, such as were more immediately given by divine inspiration, that are here transmitted to us, not to be heard, as by them, but once, and then liable to be mistaken or forgotten, and by repetition to lose their beauty, but to be read, reviewed, revolved, and had in everlasting remembrance. The account we have of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Here is, I. An account of the penman of this book; it was Solomon, for no other son of David was king of Jerusalem; but he conceals his name Solomon, peaceable, because by his sin he had brought trouble upon himself and his kingdom, had broken his peace with God and lost the peace of his conscience, and therefore was no more worthy of that name. Call me not Solomon, call me Marah, for, behold, for peace I had great bitterness. But he calls himself, 1. The preacher, which intimates his present... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:4-8

To prove the vanity of all things under the sun, and their insufficiency to make us happy, Solomon here shows, 1. That the time of our enjoyment of these things is very short, and only while we accomplish as a hireling his day. We continue in the world but for one generation, which is continually passing away to make room for another, and we are passing with it. Our worldly possessions we very lately had from others, and must very shortly leave to others, and therefore to us they are vanity;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Two things we are apt to take a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in, and value ourselves upon, with reference to our business and enjoyments in the world, as if they helped to save them from vanity. Solomon shows us our mistake in both. 1. The novelty of the invention, that it is such as was never known before. How grateful is it to think that none ever made such advances in knowledge, and such discoveries by it, as we, that none ever made such improvements of an estate or trade, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Solomon, having asserted in general that all is vanity, and having given some general proofs of it, now takes the most effectual method to evince the truth of it, 1. By his own experience; he tried them all, and found them vanity. 2. By an induction of particulars; and here he begins with that which bids fairest of all to be the happiness of a reasonable creature, and that is knowledge and learning; if this be vanity, every thing else must needs be so. Now as to this, I. Solomon tells us here... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 1 After the title of the book, which describes the author of it, by his office, as a preacher; by his descent, as the son of David; and by his dignity, king in Jerusalem, Ecclesiastes 1:1 ; the principal doctrine insisted on in it is laid down, that the world, and all things in it, are most vain things, Ecclesiastes 1:2 . Which is proved in general, by the unprofitableness of all labour to attain them, be they what they will, wisdom, knowledge, riches,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1

The words of the preacher ,.... Or the preacher's sermon. The whole book is one continued discourse, and an excellent one it is; consisting not of mere words, but of solid matter; of things of the greatest importance, clothed with words apt and acceptable, which the preacher sought out, Ecclesiastes 12:10 . The Targum is, "the words of the prophecy, which the preacher, who is Solomon, prophesied.' According to which this book is prophetic; and so it interprets it, and owns it to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher ,.... This is the preacher's text; the theme and subject he after enlarges upon, and proves by an induction of particulars; it is the sum of the whole book; vanity of vanities, all is vanity ; most extremely vain, exceedingly so, the height of vanity: this is repeated, both for the confirmation of it, men being hard of belief of it; and to show how much the preacher was affected with it himself, and to affect others with the same. The Targum... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:3

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? This is a general proof of the vanity of all things, since there is no profit arises to a man of all his labour; for, though it is put by way of question, it carries in it a strong negative. All things a man enjoys he gets by labour; for man, through sin, is doomed and born unto it, Job 5:7 ; he gets his bread by the sweat of his brow, which is a part of the curse for sin; and the wealth and riches got by a diligent... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:4-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:3

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