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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Here Solomon fastens upon another instance of the vanity of this world, that frequently the more men have of it the more they would have; and on this they are so intent that they have no enjoyment of what they have. Now Solomon here shows, I. That selfishness is the cause of this evil (Eccl. 4:7, 8): There is one alone, that minds none but himself, cares for nobody, but would, if he could, be placed alone in the midst of the earth; there is not a second, nor does he desire there should be: one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:10

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow ,.... That is, if anyone of them fall, the other will lift him up, as they are travelling together, in whatsoever manner; if one falls from his horse, or out of his carriage, or into a ditch, the other will endeavour to raise him up again: this, as it is true in a natural, so in a figurative and metaphorical sense, with religious persons especially; "if one of them falls upon the bed, and lies sick,' as the Targum paraphrases it, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man ' s inability to be the architect of his own happiness . There are many things which interrupt or destroy it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Thirdly, avarice causes isolation and a sense of insecurity, and brings no satisfaction. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:10

Koheleth illustrates the benefit of association by certain familiar examples. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow . If one or the other fall, the companion will aid him. The idea is that two travelers are making their way over a rough road—an experience that every one must have had in Palestine. Vulgate, Si unus ceciderit . Of course, if both fell at the same time, one could not help the other. Commentators quote Homer, 'Iliad,' 10.220-226, thus rendered by Lord Derby— ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation.Ecclesiastes 4:8A second - Any one associated or connected with him.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 . For, if they fall If one or more of them fall in any way; as into any mistakes, and errors, or sins, dangers, or distresses. The one will lift up his fellow Will hold him up, if he be falling, or raise him up, if he be fallen. If two lie together, then they have heat They will be sooner warm in a cold bed and a cold season. So virtuous and gracious affections are excited by good society; and Christians warm one another, by provoking one another to love and good... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

The uselessness of achievement (4:4-16)Several examples illustrate how useless much human activity is. Some people drive themselves in their work but can never relax and enjoy it, because they are always worrying about being ahead of everyone else. Others do not work at all and so ruin themselves. Both extremes should be avoided. People should work for a living and enjoy it, but they should not be so ambitious that they create trouble for themselves (4-6).Other unhappy people are those who... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:10

10. if they fall—if the one or other fall, as may happen to both, namely, into any distress of body, mind, or soul. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

3. The motivations of labor 4:4-16The phrase "vanity and striving after wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:4; Ecclesiastes 4:16) brackets this section. This structure emphasizes the relative vapidity of everything between these statements. The main theme seems to be "the power complex common among humans and ways of reacting to it." [Note: J. S. Wright, "Ecclesiastes," p. 1165.] read more

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