Ecclesiastes 2

CHAPTER 2

Pleasures Are Meaningless (2:1–11)

1–11 The Teacher recounts his continuing search for the meaning of life. When he found no meaning in human wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:13–14), he next tried pleasure (verse 1)—laughter, wine and folly (verses 2–3)—but here again he found nothing worthwhile. He undertook great projects and amassed great wealth (verses 4–9), but all this was meaningless, a chasing after the wind (verse 11). Yes, he took temporary delight in these achievements; that was his reward (verse 10). But still, nothing was gained of lasting value (verse 11).

Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless (2:12–16)

12–16 Here the Teacher thinks again about human wisdom. He acknowledges that wisdom is better than folly (verse 13), but the question is: How much better? Not much, because the wise man and the fool come to the same end—death (verse 14). So, asks the Teacher, what is to be gained by wisdom?⁷ (verse 15).

Toil Is Meaningless (2:17–26)

17–23 In these verses, the Teacher concludes that all toil is meaningless because one doesn’t get to keep the fruit of one’s labor; someone else gets it who didn’t work for it (Psalm 39:6; Luke 12:1620). It’s even possible that a fool will inherit it (verse 10).

When the Teacher thought about this, his heart began to despair (verse 20). All his labor was in vain; all it produced was pain and grief (verse 23). This is the end result of man without God. With God, however, everything is different: our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

24–26 What is the Teacher’s conclusion at this point? Man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work (verse 24)—even though such satisfaction can be only temporary. And then the Teacher says: This too, I see, is from the hand of God. Eating and enjoyment are gifts of God; if one pleases God, the enjoyment of life will be greater (verse 25). God will provide wisdom, knowledge and happiness to those who please Him (verse 26), and they will even end up gaining that which the sinner has stored up (see Proverbs 13:22; 28:8).

In these verses, the Teacher has presented a kernel of truth: real happiness is only possible when we acknowledge God and try to please Him. The simple pleasures of life can be enjoyed (1 Timothy 6:6–8,17–19) and needed wisdom can be obtained (James 1:5; 3:13–17). But this life is soon over; what is its purpose? To the Teacher, life is still meaningless, a chasing after the wind (verse 26).