Ecclesiastes 6

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Ecclesiastes
Book: Ecclesiastes
Chapter: 6

Overview:
The vanity of riches. Also of long Life and flourishing
families. (1-6) The little advantage any one has in outward
things. (7-12)

1-6 A Man often has all he needs for outward enjoyment; yet the
Lord leaves him So to Covetousness or evil dispositions, that he
makes No good or comfortable use of what he has. By one means or
other his possessions come to strangers; this is vanity, and an
evil disease. A numerous family was a matter of fond desire and
of high honour among the Hebrews; and long Life is the desire of
mankind in general. Even with these additions a Man may not be
able to enjoy his riches, family, and Life. Such a Man, in his
Passage through Life, seems to have been born for No End or use.
And he who has entered On Life only for one moment, to quit it
the next, has a preferable Lot to him who has lived long, but
only to suffer.

7-12 A little will serve to sustain us comfortably, and a great
Deal can do No more. The desires of the soul find nothing in the
wealth of the world to give satisfaction. The Poor Man has
comfort as Well as the richest, and is under No real
disadvantage. We cannot say, Better is the sight of the eyes
than the resting of the soul in God; for it is better to live By
Faith in things to come, than to live By sense, which dwells
only upon present things. Our Lot is appointed. We have what
pleases God, and let that please us. The greatest possessions
and honours cannot set us above the common events of human Life.
Seeing that the things men pursue On Earth increase vanities,
what is Man the better for his worldly devices? Our Life upon
Earth is to be reckoned By days. It is fleeting and uncertain,
and with little in it to be fond of, or to be depended On. Let us
return to God, trust in his Mercy through Jesus Christ, and
submit to his will. Then soon shall we glide through this
vexatious world, and find ourselves in that happy place, where
there is Fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.