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Ecclesiastes 2:26

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ecclesiastes 2:26

Verse 26 of 26

Scripture focus

For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:26

Theological / Devotional

For God giveth. The “for” coordinates v. 26 with v. 25; and both must in turn be linked with v. 24. Solomon confesses God’s omnipotent power and universal oversight; God does not abandon man.

The sinner. The transgressor, the one who rejects and resists God’s will; literally, “the one who misses the goal.”

To gather. The sinner spends his life in labor that does not give entrance to the eternal kingdom. All he accumulates is for this life only. He toils to gather riches together; he heaps them up, but to no eternal end (see Matt. 13:12; 25:28; Luke 12:20).

Good before God. The idea that the fruit of the labors of the wicked may be given to the righteous is found in Job 27:16, 17; Prov. 13:22 ; 28:8.

Vexation of spirit. See on ch. 1:14. The emphasis here is on the fundamental fact that God disposes as He wills.

By SdaBc