Bible Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages.

How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have the praise they should.

How many of the good gifts, both of nature and Providence, does one sinner destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own soul destroys much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways. See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if one saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:1-18EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Advantages of WisdomTHE ADVANTAGES OF WISDOM. Solomon still recommends wisdom to us as necessary to the preserving of our peace and the perfecting of our business, notwithstanding the vanities and crosses which human affairs are subject to…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13-16Section 9. That wisdom, even when it does good service, is not always rewarded, is shown by an example.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:13This wisdom have I seen also under the sun; better, as the Septuagint, This also I saw to be wisdom under the sun. The experience which follows he recognized as an instance of worldly wisdom. To what special event he al…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:14There was a little city. The substantive verb is, as commonly, omitted. Commentators have amused themselves with endeavoring to identify the city here mentioned. Thus some see herein Athens, saved by the counsel of Them…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:15Now there was found in it a poor wise man. The verb, regarded as impersonal, may be thus taken. Or we may continue the subject of the preceding verse and consider the king as spoken of: "He came across, met with unexpec…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. The latter part of the verse is not a correction of the former, but the whole comes under the observation introduced by "I said." The story just related leads to this asserti…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. This verse would be better translated, Words of the wise in quiet are heard better than the shout of a chief among fools. The Vu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors