Ecclesiastes 5:5

5 It is better that thou should not vow than that thou should vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:5

Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow
For a vow is an arbitrary thing; a man is not bound to make it, and while he vows not, it is in his own power, and at his option, whether he will do this or that, or not; but when he has once vowed, he is then brought under an obligation, and must perform; see ( Acts 5:4 ) ; and therefore it is better not to vow; it is more acceptable to God, and, it is better for a man; than that thou shouldest vow and not pay;
for this shows great weakness and folly, levity and inconstancy, and is resented by the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 In-Context

3 For out of much preoccupation comes the dream, and the voice of the fool out of a multitude of words.

4 When thou dost vow a vow unto God, do not defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed.

5 It is better that thou should not vow than that thou should vow and not pay.

6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was ignorance. Why should thou cause God to be angry because of thy voice and destroy the work of thine hands?

7 Because dreams abound, and vanities and the words are many, but fear thou God.