Ecclesiastes 8:11

11 Because there is no contradiction made on the part of those who do evil quickly, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully determined in them to do evil.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence [against] an evil work is not executed
speedily
Any evil work done by magistrates, or others, against which the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, and is threatened with his vengeance; the decree is gone forth, the sentence is passed, God is determined upon punishment; but there is a delay of it, he exercises patience and longsuffering to answer some end of his, both towards his own people and the wicked; as well as to display some of his own perfections; but because so it is, the judgment comes not at once; therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil;
or their "heart is full to do evil" F14; they have not only a fulness of sin in them naturally as is in every man's heart; but they are filled with resolution, boldness, and courage, to commit sin, promising themselves impurity from the seeming delay of justice; such an abuse do they make of the patience and forbearance of God; they become more and more hardened in sin and bent upon the commission of it.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (er twvel alm) "plenum ad faciendum malum", Pagninus, Montanus; "praegnano ad faciendum malum", Gussetius, p. 469.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 In-Context

9 So I saw all this, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun; all the things wherein man has power over man to afflict him.
10 And then I saw the ungodly carried into the tombs, and out of the holy place: and they departed, and were praised in the city, because they had done thus: this also is vanity.
11 Because there is no contradiction made on the part of those who do evil quickly, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully determined in them to do evil.
12 He that has sinned has done evil from that time, and long from beforehand: nevertheless I know, that it is well with them that fear God, that they may fear before him:
13 but it shall not be well with the ungodly, and he shall not prolong his days, as a shadow; forasmuch as he fears not before God.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.