Bible Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light.

Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory.

Let this passage recommend to all the kind words of the merciful Redeemer, "Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life." Christ is the Bread of life, the only food of the soul.

All are invited to partake of this heavenly provision.

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The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:1-20Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONGrateful EnjoymentEcclesiastes 5:18-20 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleGRATEFUL ENJOYMENT. Solomon, from the vanity of riches hoarded up, here infers that the best course we can take is to use well what we have, to serve God with it, to do good with it, and take the comfort of it to oursel…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe good things appointed for man by God. Some detect in these verses the ring of Epicurean morals. But the difference is vast between desiring and rejoicing in the things of this world as mere means of pleasure, and ac…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 · The Pulpit CommentarySection 8. The inconveniences of wealth lead the writer back to his old conclusion, that man should make the best of life, and enjoy all the good that God gives with moderation and contentment.The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18Ecclesiastes 5:18 · The Pulpit CommentaryBehold that which I have seen: it is good and comely, etc. The accentuation is against this rendering, which, however, has the support of the Syriac and the Targum. The Septuagint gives, ἰδοὺ εἶδον ἐγὼ ἀγαθὸν ὁ…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe picture of a "good and comely" life. I. THE LABOR OF THE HANDS REWARDED. The toiler spends not his strength for naught and in vain (Isaiah 49:4), but with the sweat of his brow earns for himself bread to eat, water…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:1-20EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryGrateful EnjoymentGRATEFUL ENJOYMENT. Solomon, from the vanity of riches hoarded up, here infers that the best course we can take is to use well what we have, to serve God with it, to do good with it, and take the comfort of it to oursel…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely, etc. The accentuation is against this rendering, which, however, has the support of the Syriac and the Targum. The Septuagint gives, ἰδοὺ εἶδον ἐγὼ ἀγαθὸν ὁ…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20Section 8. The inconveniences of wealth lead the writer back to his old conclusion, that man should make the best of life, and enjoy all the good that God gives with moderation and contentment.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20The picture of a "good and comely" life. I. THE LABOR OF THE HANDS REWARDED. The toiler spends not his strength for naught and in vain (Isaiah 49:4), but with the sweat of his brow earns for himself bread to eat, water…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20The good things appointed for man by God. Some detect in these verses the ring of Epicurean morals. But the difference is vast between desiring and rejoicing in the things of this world as mere means of pleasure, and ac…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:19Every man also. The sentence is anacoluthic, like Ecclesiastes 3:13, and may best be rendered, Also for every man to whom … this is a gift of God. Ginsburg connects the verse closely with the preceding one, supplying, "…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:20For he shall not much remember the days of his life. The man who has learned the lesson of calm enjoyment does not much concern himself with the shortness, uncertainty, or possible trouble of life. He carries out the co…Joseph S. Exell and contributors