From what has been said, Koheleth concludes that man may indeed enjoy the good things which he has provided, and find a certain happiness therein, but only according to God's will and permission; and to expect to win pleasure at one's own caprice is vain.
Bible Commentary
Ecclesiastes 2:21-26
The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:21-26
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:1-26Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:12-26Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 · The Pulpit CommentarySection 3. Vanity of wisdom, in view of the fate that awaits the wise man equally with the fool, and the uncertainty of the future of his labors, especially as man is not master of his own fate.Sources of Dissatisfaction; The Cheerful Use of AbundanceEcclesiastes 2:17-26 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleSOURCES OF DISSATISFACTION; THE CHEERFUL USE OF ABUNDANCE. Business is a thing that wise men have pleasure in. They are in their element when they are in their business, and complain if they be out of business. They may…Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryOur hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. See what fools they are, who m…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:21Ecclesiastes 2:21 · The Pulpit CommentaryFor there is a man whose labor is in wisdom. "In," בְּ, "with," directed and performed with wisdom. The author speaks of himself objectively, as St. Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) says, "I know a man in Christ," etc. His com…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:1-26EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:12-26Section 3. Vanity of wisdom, in view of the fate that awaits the wise man equally with the fool, and the uncertainty of the future of his labors, especially as man is not master of his own fate.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentarySources of Dissatisfaction; The Cheerful Use of AbundanceSOURCES OF DISSATISFACTION; THE CHEERFUL USE OF ABUNDANCE. Business is a thing that wise men have pleasure in. They are in their element when they are in their business, and complain if they be out of business. They may…Matthew HenrycommentaryMatthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26Our hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. See what fools they are, who m…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:21For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom. "In," בְּ, "with," directed and performed with wisdom. The author speaks of himself objectively, as St. Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) says, "I know a man in Christ," etc. His com…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:22What hath man of all his labor? i.e. what is to be the result to man? γίνεται ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ;; Quidenim proderit homini? (Vulgate). There is, indeed, the pleasure that accompanies the pursuit of objects, and the s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:23All his days are sorrow, and his travail grief (comp. Ecclesiastes 5:16, Ecclesiastes 5:17). These are the real results of his lifelong efforts. All his days are pains and sorrows, bring trouble with them, and all his l…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:24-26The condition of pure enjoyment. Up to this point the thoughts of our author have been gloomy and despairing. Wisdom is better, he declares, than folly, but death sweeps away both the wise and the foolish. The learning…Joseph S. Exell and contributors