Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:6

Sermon Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5:20 A profound gloom rests on the second act or section of this drama. It teaches us that we are helpless in the iron grip of laws which we had no voice in making; that we often lie at the mercy of men whose mercy is but a caprice; that in our origin and end, in body and spirit, in faculty and prospect, in our lives and pleasures, we are no better than the beasts that perish; that the avocations into which we plunge, amid which we seek to forget our sad estate, spring from our... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Chapter 3Now we get into the weary, monotony of life. This has been used poetically as something that is very beautiful. "A time to love," and it's been made very beautiful, but in the Hebrew idea, it was monotony. Life is just monotonous.There is a time and a season, a time and a purpose under heaven to everything: there is a time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, a time to heal; a time to break down, a time to build up; a... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Ecclesiastes 3:1 . To every thing there is a season. The seasons of the year are four. But the Zodiac, Job 9:0., divides the times into twelve signs. In a similar manner are the labours of the husbandmen, the shepherds, and the gardeners divided: the text refers to the actions of men. Ecclesiastes 3:11 . He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh. “Que l’ homme puisse comprendre l’ œuvre que Dieu a faite,” that man may comprehend the work... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:16

Ecc 3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there. Ver. 16. The place of judgment, that wickedness was there, ] i.e., That wrong reigned in the places of judicature, that justice was shamefully perverted, and public authority abused to public injury. Cato saw as much in the Roman States, and complained that private robbers were laid in cold irons, when public thieves went in gold chains,... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Ecclesiastes 3:16

Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 5:8, 1 Kings 21:9-Ecclesiastes :, Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2, Psalms 82:2-Deuteronomy :, Psalms 94:21, Psalms 94:22, Isaiah 59:14, Micah 2:2, Micah 7:3, Zephaniah 3:3, Matthew 26:59, Acts 23:3, James 2:6 Reciprocal: Psalms 82:5 - all the Psalms 94:20 - throne Ecclesiastes 2:17 - work Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a just Ecclesiastes 7:25 - the reason Ecclesiastes 10:5 - as an Isaiah 26:10 - favour Daniel 3:10 - hast made Zephaniah 3:5 - just Acts 24:25 -... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Ecclesiastes 3:16

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.Moreover — This is another argument of the vanity of worldly things, and an hindrance of that comfort which men expect in this life, because they are oppressed by their rulers.Judgment — ln the thrones of princes, and tribunals of magistrates. Solomon is still shewing that every thing in this world without the fear of God is vanity. In these verses he... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:16

16. The conclusion which has already been reached by a consideration of the inability of man to change the inevitable course of even the smallest events of human life, is confirmed by another observation. Man’s efforts to gain lasting good are thwarted by the injustice of those who should be the guardians of society. The place of judgment does not mean a court or tribunal, but is merely equivalent to instead of “judgment.” So in the second clause, instead of “righteousness.” Moreover,... read more