Ecclesiastes 3:12 - Exposition

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice; rather, I knew , perceived , that there was no good for them ; i . e . for men. From the facts adduced, Koheleth learned this practical result—that man had nothing in his own power (see on Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) which would conduce to his happiness, but to make the best of life such as he finds it. Vulgate, Cognovi quod non esset melius nisi laetari . To do good in his life ; τοῦ ποιεῖν ἀγαθόν ;; Facere bene (Vulgate). This has been taken by many in the sense of "doing one's self good, prospering, enjoying one's self." like the Greek εὖ πράττειν , and therefore nearly equivalent to "rejoice" in the former part of the verse. But the expression is best taken here, as when it occurs elsewhere (e.g. Ecclesiastes 7:20 ), in a moral sense, and it thus teaches the great truth that virtue is essential to happiness, that to "trust in the Lord … to depart from evil, and to do good" ( Psalms 36:3 , 27), will bring peace and content (see in the epilogue, Ecclesiastes 12:13 , Ecclesiastes 12:14 ). There is no Epicureanism in this verse; the enjoyment spoken of is not licentiousness, but a happy appreciation of the innocent pleasures which the love of God offers to those who live in accordance with the laws of their higher nature.