Ecclesiastes 1

Ecclesiastes 1:3

Of wickedness - Such as are got by any sort of wicked practices. Death - Often from temporal, and always from eternal death.

Ecclesiastes 1:6

Gathereth - The fruits of his field. In summer - In harvest. He that improved the opportunities of doing good to himself and others.

Ecclesiastes 1:7

Violence - Their own violence or injustice. This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the mouths and faces of condemned malefactors.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Who receive - Is ready to hear and obey the precepts of God and men. Fall - Into mischief.

Ecclesiastes 1:10

Surely - Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God’s favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known - His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.

Ecclesiastes 1:11

Winketh - That secretly designs mischief against others, as this phrase is used, Psal 35:19.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

Wisdom - This wisdom shews itself in his speech. A rod - Rebukes from God and men.

Ecclesiastes 1:15

Lay up - In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge - Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But - Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.

Ecclesiastes 1:16

Wealth - It often redeems him from dangers and calamities. Poverty - Is the cause of their ruin.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

The labour - The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit - The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.