December 2024 – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 4:4 | Word Study

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4:4 (KJV)

‘… that for this man is envied,’ refers to at least two things: (1) relationship between men, i.e., under the sun, and (2) false motivation of work. (Seow, 179) All labour is vain because it is motived by a sense of gain that is grounded in envy. (Provan, 118)

Comments: Henry highlights two interesting consequences: (1) men have very little conscience, envy can very easily mangle relationships, example: Cain-Abel, Esau-Jacob, and Saul-David; (2) the virtuous have little comfort in this world, i.e., it is problematic when men seek comfort, recognition or praise from other men – such labour will always be vain.

References:

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 4:4-6
Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 4:3 | Word Study

Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:3 (KJV)

We continue on the ‘misery’ of this life. The phrase ‘better-off’ is employed here to highlight the intensity of this misery. And to state, the irony of human existence: “what is really ‘better’ in this regard is not within the grasp of mortals.” (Bartholomew, 159)

Reference:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

Ecclesiastes 4:2 | Word Study

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Ecclesiastes 4:2 (KJV)

The preface that Henry adds to this verse sums up its content: ‘the temptation of their condition.’ From the previous verse we learned that the nature of our existence is evil – oppressive. ‘The tears of the oppressed,’ seems to highlight the miserable condition of life – it is so bad that it makes one wonder that the dead is better than the living.

Reference:

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 4:1-3