Geneva Study Bible To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: To every thing there is a {a} season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
(a) He speaks of this diversity of time for two causes first to declare that there is nothing in this world perpetual: next to teach us not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once according to our desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. I have seen the labour, which God hath given to the sons of men {b} to be exercised in it.
(b) Read Ec 1:13. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. He hath made every thing beautiful in its time: also he hath set the {c} world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
(c) God has given man a desire and affection to seek out the things of this world, and to labour in it. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the {d} gift of God.
(d) Read Ec 2:24 and these places declare that we should do all things with sobriety and in the fear of God, as he gives not his gifts to the intent that they should be abused. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. I know that, whatever God doeth, it shall be for {e} ever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
(e) That is, man will never be able to prevent God's work, but as he has determined so it will come to pass. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God {f} requireth that which is past.
(f) God only causes what which is past, to return. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time {g} there for every purpose and for every work.
(g) Meaning, with God, however man neglects his duty. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. I said in my heart concerning the state of the sons of men, that God might {h} tempt them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
(h) And made them pure in their first creation. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing {i} befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
(i) Man is not able by his reason and judgment to put differences between man and beast, as concerning those things to which both are subject: for the eye cannot judge any otherwise of a man being dead than of a beast, which is dead: yet by the word of God and faith we easily know the diversity as in Ec 3:21. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Who {k} knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
(k) Meaning, that reason cannot comprehend that which faith believes in. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should {l} rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? (l) By the often repetition of this sentence as in Ec 2:24,3:12,22,5:17,8:15 he declares that man by reason can comprehend nothing better in this life than to use the gifts of God soberly and comfortably: for to know further, is a special gift of God revealed by his Spirit. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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