Ecclesiastes 2:25 - Joy In Jesus.
Ecc.2:25; Joy In Jesus.
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Eccl 2:25 (GWT) Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God?
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
The Teacher stated that life in this world is meaningless
(1:1-11). To prove his point he examined wisdom (vv. 12-18), pleasures
(2:1-16), hard work (vv. 17-26), religion (3:1-22), and life's unfairness
(4:1-16). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Many thoughtful non-Christians will find that this book reflects
an all-too-familiar sense of despair. Life in this world has not
changed fundamentally from the author's day. Apart from a personal
relationship with God any life truly is meaningless. [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
Having contemplated the utter futility of life, Solomon
presented his divinely inspired solution: Rather than chafe under
frustration and futility, enjoy to the fullest the life God has given
(2:24). This advice is repeated six times (3:12-13; 3:22; 5:18-19; 8:15;
9:7-9). Solomon's wise counsel was quite different from the Epicurean
philosophy "Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
Solomon's solution to life's futility was balanced in the book's
conclusion by the warning that one's life must be regulated by an awareness
of coming judgment (12:14). Those who know God, the Creator, should
enjoy life most (2:25). There is no real enjoyment of life apart from
him. [New Bible Companion]
Is There Real Happiness in Life?
Wisdom and Joy Given to One Who Pleases God
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Philip. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice.
1 Thes. 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
This is the first of six occurrences of the book's refrain,
which gives the reader relief from the otherwise pessimistic viewpoint
from which life is being examined. [Believer's SB]
The heart of Ecclesiastes, a theme repeated in 3:12-13, 22;
5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7 and climaxed in 12:13. Only in God does life have
meaning and true pleasure. Without him nothing satisfies, but with him
we find satisfaction and enjoyment. True pleasure comes only when
we acknowledge and revere God (12:13). [NIV SB]
Real, lasting satisfaction can only be found in God. Is Solomon
recommending we make life a big, irresponsible party? No, he is encouraging
us to take pleasure in what we're doing now and to enjoy life
because it comes from God's hand. True enjoyment in life comes only as
we follow God's guidelines for living. Without him, satisfaction is
a lost search. Those who really know how to enjoy life are the
ones who take life each day as a gift from God, thanking him for it
and serving him in it. Those without God will have no relief from
toil and no direction to guide them through life's complications.
[Life Application SB]
In his search for meaning the Teacher used two basic methods.
Observe others. And, try it and see. When it came to pleasures--whether
the pleasure of accomplishing some great building project, amassing
great wealth, or a pleasure of the flesh--his approach was, "Try it and
see." We're often tempted to take this approach to life. "How can I
tell unless I try it for myself?" The answer, of course, is that we
know about lots of things that aren't beneficial without having to
try them for ourselves. We wouldn't try jumping off a 10-story
building to see if it's fun to fly. It might very well be. But the
landing would be pretty hard. How fortunate we are to have in Scripture
a reliable guide to what is truly good for us, and what will hurt.
Rather than say with Qoheleth, "How can I tell unless I try," we
say, "I know this isn't worth trying, for God's Word warns me away."
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
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