Ecc 2:26

[jeffnevins]

For [God] gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who [is] good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to [him who is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and grasping for the wind.

I tried looking up what sinner means in this passage, but wasn't sure.

I know that we're all sinners, but since it's being compared to a man good in His sight, I guess it means something a bit different?

Any ideas on what the cutoff is between the two?

And I wonder how the giving to the one who is good works- in some cases I can see this happening, but there seems to be many that don't give to those good to God.

Thanks for insights. Funny how you find something perplexing from time to time, even after many years of reading.

[nebula]

I'd say - just consider it the opposite of a "good person."

[Hunterpoet]

The KJV reads a little different than what you quoted.

Ecc.2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge and joy: but to the sinner He giveth travail, to gather and heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

I see two very distinct persons here. One is good in the sight of God, the other a sinner. No different than any other sinner described in the bible.

Travail: painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil.

The sinner toils all his life in vain, in the end reaps none of the reward, nor inherits any of the kingdom, but ends up giving what could have been rightfully his to a man good in God's sight.

Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.

[Leonard]

Paul simply says: "Follow me, as I follow Christ."

THAT is the 'dividing line' you are looking for.

[jeffnevins]

Thanks, that helps. Since we follow Christ, I think we fall in the first catagory, then.

For the last part, maybe the giving to those who who are good is not material goods or service, but their stake in eternity since they don't follow Christ-

[Hunterpoet]

Thanks, that helps. Since we follow Christ, I think we fall in the first catagory, then.

For the last part, maybe the giving to those who who are good is not material goods or service, but their stake in eternity since they don't follow Christ-

exactly

[Guest Ken Rank]

For [God] gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who [is] good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to [him who is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and grasping for the wind.

I tried looking up what sinner means in this passage, but wasn't sure.

I know that we're all sinners, but since it's being compared to a man good in His sight, I guess it means something a bit different?

Any ideas on what the cutoff is between the two?

And I wonder how the giving to the one who is good works- in some cases I can see this happening, but there seems to be many that don't give to those good to God.

Thanks for insights. Funny how you find something perplexing from time to time, even after many years of reading.

Looking up the word in Hebrew, (châṭâ') it is simply speaking of one who misses the mark, who falls short of God's expectations. I think the real message in this verse is in what "gathering and collecting" is.

Here are a few other versions:

Ecc 2:26 - giving humanity what is good at his face

- wisdom and knowledge and cheerfulness;

and to the sinner he gives drudgery,

to gather and to heap,

to give him the good at the face of Elohim.

This also is vanity and gnawing of spirit. (Exegesis Companion Bible) (Literal)

Ecc 2:26 For God has given wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man who is good in His sight, but He has given to the sinner trouble, to add and to heap up, that He may give to him that is good before God; for this is also vanity and grasping for the wind. (LXX in English)

Ecc 2:26 For to the man who is good from [God's] viewpoint he gives wisdom, knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of collecting and accumulating things to leave to him who is good from God's viewpoint. This too is pointless and feeding on wind. (Complete Jewish Bible)

Kind of reminds me of:

2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

By missing the mark, they according to their own lusts will heap (Greek episōreuō means to "accumulate or gather") teachers that are full of pride, who teach what others WANT to hear not what they need to hear.

Just an opinion, I am always open minded to others!

Peace.

Ken