---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Ecclesiastes 3"
description: "CHAPTER 3   :-. Earthly pursuits are no doubt
lawful in their proper time and order ( :-), but unprofitable when out of time and place; as for
instance, w"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ecclesiastes/3"
---

CHAPTER 3

.
Earthly pursuits are no doubt
lawful in their proper time and order (), but unprofitable when out of time and place; as for
instance, when pursued as the solid and chief good ([Ecclesiastes 3:9](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/9);
[Ecclesiastes 3:10](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/10)); whereas God makes
everything beautiful in its season, which man obscurely comprehends
([Ecclesiastes 3:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/11)). God allows man to
enjoy moderately and virtuously His earthly gifts ([Ecclesiastes 3:12](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/12);
[Ecclesiastes 3:13](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/13)). What consoles us
amidst the instability of earthly blessings is, God's counsels are
immutable ([Ecclesiastes 3:14](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/14)).

**1.** Man has his appointed cycle
of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water ().
**purpose**—as there is a
fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example,
He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born,"
and "to die," [Ecclesiastes 3:2](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/2)),
so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his
"purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but
approves of, the *use* of earthly blessings ([Ecclesiastes 3:2](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/2)); it is the *abuse* that He condemns, the making them
the chief end ([1 Corinthians 7:31](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/7/31)). The
earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a
dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing
and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and
revelation are given to control them.

**2. time to die**— ([Psalms 31:15](../../../kjv/psalms/31/15);
[Hebrews 9:27](../../../kjv/hebrews/9/27)).
**plant**—A man can no more
reverse the times and order of "planting," and of "digging
up," and transplanting, than he can alter the times fixed for
his "birth" and "death." To try to "plant"
*out of season* is vanity, however good *in season;* so to
make earthly things *the chief end* is vanity, however good they
be in order and season. GILL
takes it, not so well, figuratively ([Jeremiah 18:7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/18/7);
[Jeremiah 18:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/18/9); [Amos 9:15](../../../kjv/amos/9/15);
[Matthew 15:13](../../../kjv/matthew/15/13)).

**3. time to kill**—namely,
judicially, criminals; or, in wars of self-defense; not in malice.
Out of this time and order, killing is murder.
**to heal**—God has His
times for "healing" (literally, [Isaiah 38:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/38/5);
[Isaiah 38:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/38/21); figuratively, [Deuteronomy 32:39](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/39);
[Hosea 6:1](../../../kjv/hosea/6/1); spiritually, [Psalms 147:3](../../../kjv/psalms/147/3);
[Isaiah 57:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/19)). To *heal*
spiritually, before the sinner feels his *wound,* would be "out
of time," and so injurious.
**time to break down**—cities,
as Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar.
**build up**—as Jerusalem,
in the time of Zerubbabel; spiritually ([Isaiah 57:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/19)), "the set time" ([Isaiah 57:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/19)).

**4. mourn**—namely, for the dead
([Genesis 23:2](../../../kjv/genesis/23/2)).
**dance**—as David before
the ark ([2 Samuel 6:12-14](../../../kjv/2-samuel/6/12-14);
[Psalms 30:11](../../../kjv/psalms/30/11)); spiritually ([Matthew 9:15](../../../kjv/matthew/9/15);
[Luke 6:21](../../../kjv/luke/6/21); [Luke 15:25](../../../kjv/luke/15/25)).
The Pharisees, by requiring sadness *out of time,* erred
seriously.

**5. cast away stones**—as out of
a garden or vineyard ([Isaiah 5:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/2)).
**gather**—for building;
figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time
made parts of the spiritual building ([Ephesians 2:19](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/19);
[Ephesians 2:20](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/20)), and children of
Abraham ([Matthew 3:9](../../../kjv/matthew/3/9)); so the
restored Jews hereafter ([Psalms 102:13](../../../kjv/psalms/102/13);
[Psalms 102:14](../../../kjv/psalms/102/14); [Zechariah 9:16](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/16)).
**refrain . . . embracing**—
([Joel 2:16](../../../kjv/joel/2/16); [1 Corinthians 7:5](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/7/5);
[1 Corinthians 7:6](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/7/6)).

**6. time to get**—for example, to
gain honestly a livelihood ().
**lose**—When God wills
losses to us, then is our time to be content.
**keep**—not to give to the
idle beggar ([2 Thessalonians 3:10](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/3/10)).
**cast away**—in charity
([Proverbs 11:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/24)); or to part with
the dearest object, rather than the soul ([Proverbs 11:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/24)). To be careful is right in its place, but not when it comes
between us and Jesus Christ ([Proverbs 11:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/24)).

**7. rend**—garments, in mourning
([Joel 2:13](../../../kjv/joel/2/13)); figuratively,
nations, as Israel from Judah, already foretold, in Solomon's time
([1 Kings 11:30](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/30); [1 Kings 11:31](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/31)),
to be "sewed" together hereafter ([Ezekiel 37:15](../../../kjv/ezekiel/37/15);
[Ezekiel 37:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/37/22)).
**silence**— ([Ezekiel 37:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/37/22)), in a national calamity, or that of a friend ([Ezekiel 37:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/37/22)); also not to murmur under God's visitation ([Leviticus 10:3](../../../kjv/leviticus/10/3);
[Psalms 39:1](../../../kjv/psalms/39/1); [Psalms 39:2](../../../kjv/psalms/39/2);
[Psalms 39:9](../../../kjv/psalms/39/9)).

**8. hate**—for example, sin,
lusts ([Luke 14:26](../../../kjv/luke/14/26)); that is, to
love *God* so much more as to seem in comparison to *hate*
"father or mother," when coming between us and God.
**a time of war . . . peace**—
([Luke 14:31](../../../kjv/luke/14/31)).

**9.** But these earthly pursuits,
while lawful in their season, are "unprofitable" when made
by man, what God never intended them to be, the chief good. Solomon
had tried to create an artificial forced joy, at times when he ought
rather to have been serious; the result, therefore, of his labor to
be happy, out of God's order, was disappointment. "A time to
plant" ([Ecclesiastes 3:2](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/2)) refers to
his *planting* ([Ecclesiastes 2:5](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/5));
"laugh" ([Ecclesiastes 3:4](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/4)), to
[Ecclesiastes 2:1](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/1); [Ecclesiastes 2:2](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/2);
"his mirth," "laughter"; "build up,"
"gather stones" ([Ecclesiastes 3:3](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/3);
[Ecclesiastes 3:5](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/5)), to his "building"
([Ecclesiastes 2:4](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/4)); "embrace,"
"love," to his "princess" (see on [Ecclesiastes 2:4](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/4)); "get" (perhaps also "gather," [Ecclesiastes 3:5](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/5);
[Ecclesiastes 3:6](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/6)), to his "gathering"
([Ecclesiastes 2:8](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/8)). All these were of "no
profit," because not in God's time and order of bestowing
happiness.

**10.** (See on ).

**11. his time**—that is, *in
its* proper *season* (), opposed to worldlings putting earthly pursuits *out of
their proper time and place* (see on ).
**set the world in their
heart**—given them capacities to understand *the world* of
nature as reflecting God's wisdom in its beautiful order and times
([Romans 1:19](../../../kjv/romans/1/19); [Romans 1:20](../../../kjv/romans/1/20)).
"Everything" answers to "world," in the
parallelism.
**so that**—that is, but in
such a manner that man only sees a portion, not the whole "from
beginning to end" ([Ecclesiastes 8:17](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/17);
[Job 26:14](../../../kjv/job/26/14); [Romans 11:33](../../../kjv/romans/11/33);
[Revelation 15:4](../../../kjv/revelation/15/4)). PARKHURST,
for "world," translates: "Yet He hath put *obscurity
in the midst of them,*" literally, "a secret," so
man's mental *dimness of sight* as to the full mystery of God's
works. So HOLDEN and
WEISS. This incapacity for
"finding out" (comprehending) God's work is chiefly the
fruit of the fall. The worldling ever since, not knowing God's time
and order, labors in vain, because out of time and place.

**12. in them**—in God's works (), as far as relates to man's duty. Man cannot fully
comprehend them, but he ought joyfully to receive ("rejoice in")
God's gifts, and "do good" with them to himself and to
others. This is never out of season ([Galatians 6:9](../../../kjv/galatians/6/9);
[Galatians 6:10](../../../kjv/galatians/6/10)). Not sensual joy and
self-indulgence ([Philippians 4:4](../../../kjv/philippians/4/4); [James 4:16](../../../kjv/james/4/16);
[James 4:17](../../../kjv/james/4/17)).

**13.** Literally, "And also as
to every man who eats . . . this is the gift of God" ([Ecclesiastes 3:22](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/22);
[Ecclesiastes 5:18](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/5/18)). When received as God's
gifts, and to God's glory, the good things of life are enjoyed in
their due time and order ([Acts 2:46](../../../kjv/acts/2/46);
[1 Corinthians 10:31](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/10/31); [1 Timothy 4:3](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/3);
[1 Timothy 4:4](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/4)).

**14.** ([1 Samuel 3:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/12);
[2 Samuel 23:5](../../../kjv/2-samuel/23/5); [Psalms 89:34](../../../kjv/psalms/89/34);
[Matthew 24:35](../../../kjv/matthew/24/35); [James 1:17](../../../kjv/james/1/17)).
**for ever**—as opposed to
man's perishing labors ([James 1:17](../../../kjv/james/1/17)).
**any thing taken from
it**—opposed to man's "crooked and wanting" works
([Ecclesiastes 1:15](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/1/15); [Ecclesiastes 7:13](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/7/13)).
The event of man's labors depends wholly on God's immutable purpose.
Man's part, therefore, is to do and enjoy every earthly thing *in
its proper season* ([Ecclesiastes 3:12](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/12);
[Ecclesiastes 3:13](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/13)), not setting aside
God's order, but observing deep reverence towards God; for the
mysteriousness and unchangeableness of God's purposes are designed to
lead "man to fear before Him." Man knows not the event of
each act: otherwise he would think himself independent of God.

**15.** Resumption of . Whatever changes there be, the succession of events is
ordered by God's "everlasting" laws (), and returns in a fixed cycle.
**requireth that . . .
past**—After many changes, God's law *requires* the return
of the same cycle of events, as in *the past,* literally, "that
which is driven on." The *Septuagint* and *Syriac*
translate: "God requireth (that is, avengeth) the *persecuted*
man"; a transition to [Ecclesiastes 3:16](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/16);
[Ecclesiastes 3:17](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/17). The parallel clauses of
the verse support *English Version.*

**16.** Here a difficulty is
suggested. If God "requires" events to move in their
perpetual cycle, why are the wicked allowed to deal unrighteously in
the place where injustice ought least of all to be; namely, "the
place of judgment" ([Jeremiah 12:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/12/1))?

**17.** Solution of it. There is a
coming judgment in which God will vindicate His righteous ways. The
sinner's "time" of his unrighteous "work" is
short. God also has His "time" and "work" of
judgment; and, meanwhile, is overruling, for good at last, what seems
now dark. Man cannot now "find out" the plan of God's ways
([Ecclesiastes 3:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/11); [Psalms 97:2](../../../kjv/psalms/97/2)).
If judgment instantly followed every sin, there would be no scope for
free will, faith, and perseverance of saints in spite of
difficulties. The previous darkness will make the light at last the
more glorious.
**there**— ([Psalms 97:2](../../../kjv/psalms/97/2)) in eternity, in the presence of the Divine Judge,
opposed to the "there," in the human place of judgment ([Psalms 97:2](../../../kjv/psalms/97/2)): so "from *thence*" ([Psalms 97:2](../../../kjv/psalms/97/2)).

**18. estate**—The estate of
fallen man is so ordered (these wrongs are permitted), that God might
"manifest," that is, thereby *prove* them, and that
they might themselves see their mortal frailty, like that of the
beasts.
**sons of men**—rather,
"sons of Adam," a phrase used for "fallen men."
The toleration of injustice until the judgment is designed to
"manifest" men's characters in their fallen state, to see
whether the oppressed will bear themselves aright amidst their
wrongs, knowing that the time is short, and there is a coming
judgment. The oppressed share in death, but the comparison to
"beasts" applies especially to *the ungodly oppressors*
([Psalms 49:12](../../../kjv/psalms/49/12); [Psalms 49:20](../../../kjv/psalms/49/20)).
They too need to be "manifested" ("proved"),
whether, considering that they must soon die as the "beasts,"
and fearing the judgment to come, they will repent ([Psalms 49:20](../../../kjv/psalms/49/20)).

**19.** Literally, "For the
sons of men (Adam) *are a mere chance,* as also the beast is a
mere chance." These words can only be the sentiments of the
skeptical oppressors. God's delay in judgment gives scope for the
"manifestation" of their infidelity ([Ecclesiastes 8:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/11);
[Psalms 55:19](../../../kjv/psalms/55/19); [2 Peter 3:3](../../../kjv/2-peter/3/3);
[2 Peter 3:4](../../../kjv/2-peter/3/4)). They *are* "brute
*beasts,*" morally ([Ecclesiastes 3:18](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/18);
[Judges 1:10](../../../kjv/judges/1/10)); and they end by
maintaining that man, physically, has no pre-eminence over the beast,
both alike being "fortuities." Probably this was the
language of Solomon himself in his apostasy. He answers it in [Judges 1:10](../../../kjv/judges/1/10). If [Ecclesiastes 3:19](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/19); [Ecclesiastes 3:20](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/20)
be *his* words, they express only that *as regards liability
to death,* excluding the future judgment, as the skeptic
oppressors do, man is on a level with the beast. Life is "vanity,"
if regarded independently of religion. But [Ecclesiastes 3:20](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/20) points out the vast difference between them in respect to
the future destiny; also ([Ecclesiastes 3:17](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/17))
beasts have no "judgment" to come.
**breath**—vitality.

**21. Who knoweth**—Not *doubt*
of the destination of man's spirit (); but "*how few,* by reason of the outward
mortality to which man is as liable as the beast and which is the
ground of the skeptic's argument, comprehend the wide difference
between man and the beast" (). The *Hebrew* expresses the difference strongly, "The
spirit of man that ascends, it belongeth to on high; but the spirit
of the beast that descends, it belongeth to below, even to the
earth." Their destinations and proper element differ utterly
[WEISS].

**22.** (Compare [Ecclesiastes 3:12](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/3/12);
[Ecclesiastes 5:18](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/5/18)). Inculcating a thankful
enjoyment of God's gifts, and a cheerful discharge of man's duties,
founded on fear of God; not as the sensualist ([Ecclesiastes 5:18](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/5/18)); not as the anxious money-seeker ([Ecclesiastes 2:23](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/23);
[Ecclesiastes 5:10-17](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/5/10-17)).
**his portion**—in the
present life. If it were made his *main* portion, it would be
"vanity" ([Ecclesiastes 2:1](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/1);
[Luke 16:25](../../../kjv/luke/16/25)).
**for who,** c.—Our
ignorance as to the future, which is God's "time" ([Luke 16:25](../../../kjv/luke/16/25)), should lead us to use the present time in the best sense
and leave the future to His infinite wisdom ([Matthew 6:20](../../../kjv/matthew/6/20)
[Matthew 6:25](../../../kjv/matthew/6/25); [Matthew 6:31-34](../../../kjv/matthew/6/31-34)).

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