TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ecclesiastes 5:18–20.
Solomon, from the vanity of riches hoarded up, here infers that the best course we can take is to use well what we have, to serve God with it, to do good with it, and take the comfort of it to ourselves and our families; this he had pressed before, Ecc 2:24; Ecc 3:22. Observe, 1. What it is that is here recommended to us, not to indulge the appetites of the flesh, or to take up with present pleasures or profits for our portion, but soberly and moderately to make use of what Providence has allotted for our comfortable passage through this world. We must not starve ourselves through covetousness, because we cannot afford ourselves food convenient, nor through eagerness in our worldly pursuits, nor through excessive care and grief, but eat and drink what is fit for us to keep our bodies in good plight for the serving of our souls in God's service. We must not kill ourselves with labour, and then leave others to enjoy the good of it, but take the comfort of that which our hands have laboured for, and that not now and then, but all the days of our life which God gives us. Life is God's gift, and he has appointed us the number of the days of our life (Job 14:5); let us therefore spend those days in serving the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness of heart. We must not do the business of our calling as a drudgery, and make ourselves slaves to it, but we must rejoice in our labour, not grasp at more business than we can go through without perplexity and disquiet, but take a pleasure in the calling wherein God has put us, and go on in the business of it with cheerfulness. This it to rejoice in our labour, whatever it is, as Zebulun in his going out and Issachar in his tents. 2. What is urged to recommend it to us. (1.) That it is good and comely to do this. It is well, and it looks well. Those that cheerfully use what God has given them thereby honour the giver, answer the intention of the gift, act rationally and generously, do good in the world, and make what they have turn to the best account, and this is both their credit and their comfort; it is good and comely; there is duty and decency in it. (2.) That it is all the good we can have out of the things of this world: It is our portion, and in doing thus we take our portion, and make the best of bad. This is our part of our worldly possession. God must have his part, the poor theirs, and our families theirs, but this is ours; it is all that falls to our lot out of them. (3.) That a heart to do thus is such a gift of God's grace as crowns all the gifts of his providence. If God has given a man riches and wealth, he completes the favour, and makes that a blessing indeed, if withal he gives him power to eat thereof, wisdom and grace to take the good of it and to do good with it. If this is God's gift, we must covet it earnestly as the best gift relating to our enjoyments in this world. (4.) That this is the way to make our own lives easy and to relieve ourselves against the many toils and troubles which our lives on earth are incident to (Ecc 5:20): He shall not much remember the days of his life, the days of his sorrow and sore travail, his working days, his weeping days. He shall either forget them or remember them as waters that pass away; he shall not much lay to heart his crosses, nor long retain the bitter relish of them, because God answers him in the joy of his heart, balances all the grievances of his labour with the joy of it and recompenses him for it by giving him to eat the labour of his hands. If he does not answer all his desires and expectations, in the letter of them, yet he answers them with that which is more than equivalent, in the joy of his heart. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes the yoke of our employments easy and the burden of our afflictions light.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
This is the literal interpretation. If someone has much money, if he has lots of good food and many wines, he still cannot eat and drink all of it. But he doubtless has a gift: whatever he can consume, if he has enough food to satisfy him and enough drink, this is a gift from God. But when someone eats and drinks more than necessary, then it is not a gift from God but a gift from desire.Regarding the spiritual interpretation: God gives wisdom along with the riches and capabilities inherent in wisdom, that is, wisdom’s insights, so that people eat and drink from the things they have received: the bread of wisdom, its water, the wine, which he mingled into a cup. This is a gift from God. If one takes the spiritual in the right way, it is, finally, the grace of his lot.
"So what
I have seen to be good is that it is suitable to eat and drink and enjoy
pleasure with all one's labour that he toils beneath the sun during the brief
span of his life that God has given him, for that is his lot. Furthermore, every man to whom God has given
riches and possessions and has given him the power to enjoy them, possess his
share and be happy in his work: this is the gift of God. For he shall remember that the days of his
life are not many, while God provides him with the joy of his heart." This is in comparison to him, who consumes his wealth
in the darkness of his worries, and carries those things which are about to die
throughout the great tedium of his life, and says that that man is better, who
enjoys what he has. For here there is
but a small desire of enjoyment, but there in the latter indeed there is a
great magnitude of worries. He also
gives the reasons why the gift of God is to be able to enjoy riches. Since "he will not remember much of the
days of his life". For God turns
him to the happiness of his heart's desire: he will not be sad, he will not be
worried by thought, since he is led away by happiness and desire for present
things. But it is better understood as according to the apostle [Cf I Cor. 10, 2-4.],
seen as spiritual food and spiritual drink which is given by God and I
understood to see goodness in all of his toil, since we are only able to
consider true good things with great toil and enthusiasm. For what is permitted to be good, though,
until Christ appears in our life, is not yet openly considered good. And therefore God will not remember much of
the days of our life. We should also
note that here "perispasmos" is used in
a better way, in the place of the occupation of the spirit and true
happiness.
CHAPTER 6
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Summary
Ecclesiastes 5:19 articulates a profound theological truth, offering a vital counterpoint to the book's often somber reflections on life "under the sun." It posits that for any individual to whom God graciously bestows material prosperity—encompassing both riches and wealth—and, crucially, also grants the enabling capacity to genuinely enjoy these provisions, to appropriate their rightful portion, and to find authentic satisfaction and joy in their diligent labor, this entire multifaceted experience is unequivocally identified as a direct, unmerited gift from God. This verse transcends the mere acquisition of wealth, asserting that true contentment and the ability to savor life's blessings are not inherent byproducts of material abundance but rather a specific, sovereign, and gracious endowment from the Creator.
Context
Literary Context
Ecclesiastes 5 is a chapter deeply engaged with the vanity and inherent frustrations of human endeavor, particularly concerning the accumulation of wealth and the practice of religion. The verses immediately preceding Ecclesiastes 5:19 (specifically Ecclesiastes 5:10-17) meticulously lament the unsatisfying nature of money, illustrating how the love of wealth never truly brings contentment (Ecclesiastes 5:10), how increasing riches often lead to increased worries and dependents (Ecclesiastes 5:11), and how wealth can be lost unexpectedly or hoarded to the owner's detriment, offering no true benefit or even causing profound harm (Ecclesiastes 5:13-17). Verse Ecclesiastes 5:18 then introduces a pivotal thematic shift, suggesting that it is "good and fitting" for a person to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruit of their labor. Ecclesiastes 5:19 expands on this nascent idea, clarifying that this capacity for enjoyment is not a human achievement or an automatic consequence of prosperity, but rather a direct divine bestowal. This provides one of the rare moments of explicit affirmation and divine perspective within the book's otherwise melancholic tone, sharply distinguishing divinely-enabled contentment from the inherent vanity of mere acquisition. This profound thought is further reinforced in Ecclesiastes 5:20, which notes that such a person "will not much remember the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart."
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, material wealth was frequently perceived as a tangible sign of divine favor and blessing. However, the book of Ecclesiastes consistently challenges and complicates such simplistic interpretations of prosperity. The prevailing cultural mindset often equated material success with inherent happiness, security, and personal fulfillment, a notion that the Preacher systematically deconstructs throughout his discourse. Yet, Ecclesiastes 5:19 offers a nuanced and corrective perspective. Unlike the common pursuit of wealth for its own sake—which often led to anxiety, social oppression, or a profound lack of true satisfaction—this verse points to a divine enablement that transcends mere possession. It implicitly critiques the cultural tendency to hoard wealth or to derive one's identity and worth solely from it, instead reorienting the ultimate source of true enjoyment and benefit to God's sovereign and benevolent hand. The "labour" mentioned (Hebrew: ʻâmâl) often carries connotations of burdensome toil, weariness, and even painful effort, yet the verse suggests that even this can be transformed into a source of genuine joy when God grants the capacity to appreciate it, standing in stark contrast to the common experience of wearying work without lasting reward or satisfaction.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within Ecclesiastes and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the Sovereignty of God over all aspects of human existence, extending even to material prosperity and, more significantly, the human heart's capacity for genuine enjoyment. God is presented as the ultimate Giver, not only of "riches and wealth" but also of the indispensable "power to eat thereof." Secondly, it highlights the profound theme of True Enjoyment as a Divine Gift, directly challenging the pervasive human tendency to believe that happiness is solely a product of favorable circumstances or accumulated possessions. The Preacher repeatedly emphasizes this crucial point throughout the book, as evidenced in passages like Ecclesiastes 2:24 and Ecclesiastes 3:13, where the acts of eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in one's labor are explicitly declared as gifts from God. Thirdly, it serves as a crucial Counterpoint to the Vanity of Materialism, which is arguably the most pervasive theme throughout Ecclesiastes. While the Preacher frequently laments the inherent futility of striving for wealth "under the sun" (e.g., Ecclesiastes 4:8), this verse offers a rare and hopeful glimpse of how material blessings can be truly beneficial and a source of genuine joy when they are received and enjoyed as a divine endowment, rather than pursued as an ultimate end in themselves.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From עָשַׁר; wealth; [idiom] far (richer), riches. This term refers to material abundance, possessions, or financial prosperity. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, ʻôsher is often presented as a potential source of vanity and profound frustration when pursued as an ultimate goal, as it can be lost unexpectedly or fail to satisfy the human spirit. However, in Ecclesiastes 5:19, it is framed as something God gives, implying that its true value and benefit are contingent upon the divine giver and the accompanying divine enablement to genuinely enjoy it, thereby distinguishing it from mere worldly accumulation or self-generated prosperity.
A primitive root; to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication, to permit; (bear, have) rule, have dominion, give (have) power. This word is critically important for understanding the verse's unique contribution. It signifies more than just physical ability or opportunity; it implies the authority, freedom, and intrinsic capacity to rule over or make beneficial use of one's possessions for genuine enjoyment. This suggests a profound mental, emotional, and spiritual state of contentment and peace that enables an individual to truly benefit from wealth, rather than being enslaved by it, constantly anxious about its preservation, or perpetually striving for more—a common problem for the rich lamented elsewhere in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 5:12).
Feminine of מַתָּן abbreviated form; a present; gift. This term explicitly identifies the entire preceding experience—the possession of wealth, the divinely-granted power to enjoy it, the ability to contentedly take one's portion, and the profound joy found in one's labor—as a direct, unmerited bestowal from God. It powerfully emphasizes divine initiative, generosity, and sovereign grace, standing in sharp contrast to any notion that such contentment or true satisfaction is earned, achieved, or manufactured by human effort, wisdom, or accumulation alone. The use of mattâth underscores that true fulfillment in life's material aspects is not a product of human striving but a grace-filled, comprehensive provision from the Almighty.
Verse Breakdown
"Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth,"
This opening clause establishes the universal applicability of the principle, indicating that "every man" (Hebrew: ʼâdâm) is a potential recipient. The source of the material prosperity, explicitly stated as "riches and wealth" (Hebrew: ʻôsher and nekeç), is unequivocally God (Hebrew: ʼĕlôhîym). This immediately highlights divine sovereignty over all material provision, setting the stage by acknowledging that the initial possession of wealth, in and of itself, is a divine act of giving.
"and hath given him power to eat thereof,"
This is a crucial and distinctive addition to the concept of possessing wealth. It draws a sharp distinction between mere ownership and the actual capacity for genuine enjoyment. "Power to eat thereof" (Hebrew: shâlaṭ leʼâkal mimmennu) implies not just the physical act of consumption, but encompasses the holistic freedom, good health, peace of mind, and favorable circumstances necessary to truly benefit from and savor one's possessions. Without this specific divine enablement, wealth can easily become a burdensome source of anxiety or dissatisfaction rather than a blessing, as the Preacher frequently observes throughout the book.
"and to take his portion,"
This phrase (Hebrew: nâsâʼ chêleq) refers to the act of receiving, accepting, and appreciating one's allotted share, inheritance, or lot in life. It powerfully suggests a spirit of contentment with what one has been given, rather than a restless craving for more, or a sense of being deprived. It also implies a sense of rightful ownership and peaceful enjoyment, free from the anxiety of loss or the psychological burden of hoarding.
"and to rejoice in his labour;"
Even the toil, effort, and sometimes burdensome work (Hebrew: ʻâmâl) expended in acquiring or maintaining wealth can be transformed into a profound source of joy. This represents a significant and optimistic shift from the book's frequent lament about the wearisome and often futile nature of human labor. When God grants the accompanying capacity, the very process and outcome of one's work can bring genuine satisfaction and gladness (Hebrew: sâmach), thereby transforming what might otherwise be a burden into a profound blessing.
"this [is] the gift of God."
This concluding declaration (Hebrew: zôh mattâth ʼĕlôhîym) serves as the emphatic summary, the theological punchline, and the ultimate interpretive lens for the entire preceding experience. The comprehensive blessing—the combination of receiving wealth, the power to genuinely enjoy it, the contentment with one's allotted portion, and the joy found in one's work—is explicitly identified as a singular, comprehensive "gift" from God. This underscores the profound truth that true fulfillment and lasting satisfaction in life's material aspects are not human achievements or self-generated states, but rather divine endowments, transcending the inherent vanity of earthly pursuits when disconnected from God.
Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 5:19 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound and often counter-cultural message. Most notably, there is a powerful Contrast at play. The verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding laments about the inherent futility of wealth accumulation and the anxieties it frequently brings (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:10-17). While the Preacher consistently highlights the vanity of possessions "under the sun" when pursued as an end in themselves, this verse introduces a divinely-enabled scenario where wealth can indeed be a source of genuine joy and satisfaction. This creates a powerful juxtaposition between human striving and divine gifting. The concluding phrase, "this [is] the gift of God," serves as a climactic Emphasis or a theological Summation, underscoring the divine origin of true contentment and echoing similar statements found earlier in the book (e.g., Ecclesiastes 2:24 and Ecclesiastes 3:13). The structure of the verse itself, moving from the initial provision of wealth ("given riches and wealth") to the various aspects of its enjoyment ("power to eat thereof," "take his portion," "rejoice in his labour"), builds a clear sense of Progression. This progression highlights that the blessing is multifaceted, encompassing not just the material possession, but also the psychological, emotional, and spiritual capacity for profound satisfaction and appreciation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ecclesiastes 5:19 offers a crucial theological anchor and a beacon of hope within a book often grappling with existential despair and the perceived meaninglessness of human endeavor. It asserts a fundamental truth: true contentment and the ability to genuinely enjoy life's blessings, including material prosperity and the fruits of one's labor, are not inherent outcomes of human effort, wisdom, or accumulation, but rather a direct, unmerited, and gracious endowment from God. This highlights God's sovereign control not only over the provision of material goods but also, and more importantly, over the human heart's capacity for joy and satisfaction in those provisions. It profoundly reframes wealth from a potential source of vanity, vexation, and endless striving into a potential channel of divine blessing when it is received and experienced through God's enabling grace. The verse powerfully challenges the human tendency to seek ultimate satisfaction and security in possessions, redirecting focus to the Giver as the ultimate source of all good things and the true wellspring of lasting contentment. It teaches that while humans can acquire riches, only God can grant the "power to eat thereof" with a truly joyful heart, thereby transforming mere existence into a deeply lived and genuinely appreciated life.
Reflection and Application
Ecclesiastes 5:19 serves as a profound and timely corrective to our deeply ingrained materialistic tendencies and cultural assumptions, powerfully reminding us that the mere acquisition of wealth or an abundance of possessions does not, by itself, guarantee happiness, peace, or lasting satisfaction. We often mistakenly equate financial success or material comfort with a truly joyful and fulfilling life, yet this verse reveals that genuine contentment, the ability to truly enjoy our possessions, and finding authentic satisfaction in our diligent work are all precious, divinely-granted gifts from God. This truth challenges us to fundamentally shift our focus from relentlessly pursuing more to cultivating a profound sense of gratitude for what God has already graciously provided, and, crucially, to earnestly seek His enabling grace to truly savor and appreciate it. It encourages us to pray not just for provision of our needs, but for the "power to eat thereof"—that is, for the spiritual, mental, and physical health, the peace of mind, the wisdom, and the spirit of contentment that allows us to genuinely appreciate our "portion" and find deep joy even in our daily "labour." This liberating perspective frees us from the endless, often exhausting cycle of striving, accumulation, and dissatisfaction, inviting us instead to live in humble, joyful dependence on God for both our material needs and, more importantly, for our spiritual capacity for true and lasting joy.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How does this verse reconcile with the often pessimistic tone of Ecclesiastes regarding wealth?
Ecclesiastes 5:19 provides a crucial and often overlooked counterpoint to the book's general lament about the vanity and inherent futility of wealth when pursued solely "under the sun" (i.e., from a purely human, earthly, and secular perspective). While the Preacher frequently highlights the unsatisfying nature of accumulating riches that cannot truly satisfy (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:10-17), this verse introduces a divinely-enabled exception to that pervasive pessimism. It argues that if God also grants the accompanying capacity and disposition to enjoy wealth and the fruit of one's labor, then such material blessings are transformed from a potential source of vexation into a genuine and profound blessing. The key insight is that it's not the wealth itself that is inherently good or bad, but whether God grants the accompanying "power to eat thereof" and to find joy. Thus, this verse doesn't contradict the book's overall critique of materialism but rather offers a glimpse of divine grace that transcends earthly limitations, suggesting that true contentment and satisfaction are always a gift from above, not a human achievement or an automatic outcome of material prosperity.
Does this verse encourage the pursuit of wealth?
This verse does not explicitly encourage or discourage the pursuit of wealth. Instead, its primary purpose is to profoundly reorient our perspective on wealth and material possessions. It acknowledges that God does indeed give "riches and wealth" to some individuals, but its central emphasis is placed squarely on the divine gift of enjoyment that must accompany such provision for it to be truly beneficial and a source of blessing. The verse fundamentally shifts the focus from the human act of acquiring wealth to the spiritual disposition, divine enablement, and gracious perspective required to truly appreciate and benefit from it. It strongly implies that possessing wealth without the "power to eat thereof" and to find joy in one's labor is ultimately meaningless and vain, aligning perfectly with the broader message of Ecclesiastes that true and lasting satisfaction is found not in material things themselves, but in God's gracious provision and the ability to receive and enjoy it with a grateful and joyful heart. Therefore, the emphasis is on cultivating gratitude and contentment with God's portion, rather than on the relentless accumulation of more.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Ecclesiastes 5:19, with its profound emphasis on the "gift of God" as the ultimate source of true enjoyment and deep satisfaction in life's provisions, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament saint could recognize God's sovereign hand in enabling the enjoyment of earthly blessings, Christ reveals the fullness and spiritual depth of this divine gift. In a world relentlessly striving for satisfaction through accumulation and material gain, Jesus taught that true life, abundant joy, and lasting contentment are found not in material possessions or earthly striving but supremely and eternally in Him (John 10:10). He is the ultimate "portion" (Psalm 16:5) for those who trust in Him, offering spiritual riches that never fade, cannot be stolen, and will never be lost (Matthew 6:19-21). The "power to eat thereof" and "rejoice in his labour" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to find true rest from their weary toil in Him (Matthew 11:28) and promises a profound peace that transcends all earthly circumstances and understanding (John 14:27). Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and glorious resurrection, Christ enables believers to receive all of life—including our daily bread, the fruit of our labor, and every material blessing—as a grace-filled and sanctified blessing from our Heavenly Father. This transforms even mundane existence into an experience of profound divine favor and spiritual joy, serving as a foretaste of the eternal inheritance and boundless riches found exclusively in Him (Ephesians 1:3).