Ecclesiastes 3:1 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:" Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. God by his providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to gather; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. All is unprofitable as to the attainment of that happiness which all men are inquiring after. None at all. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 The Message (MSG) There’s a Right Time for Everything. He is simply describing life as it is. 1. It was then, that in His wisdom He put in motion a series of unchangeable, natural laws, which were determined by Him and which have an impact on every area of our own lives, as well as the wider world and universe. It is a beautiful passage that I often read at funerals. A season; a certain thee appointed by God for its being and continuance, which no human wit or providence can prevent or alter. And by virtue of this appointment or decree of God, all the vicissitudes and changes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, do come to pass; which is here added, partly, to prove what he last said, Ecclesiastes 2:24,26, that both the free and comfortable enjoyment of the creatures which some have, and the crosses and vexations which others have with them, are from the hand and counsel of God; partly, to prove the principal proposition of the book, that all things below are vain, and happiness is not to be found in them, because of their great uncertainty, and mutability, and transitoriness, and because they are so much out of the reach and power of men, and wholly in the disposal of another, to wit, God, who doth either give or take them away, either sweeten or embitter them, as it pleaseth him; and partly, to bring the minds of men into a quiet and cheerful dependence upon God’s providence, and submission to his will, and a state of preparation for all events. The entire book of Ecclesiastes amounts to Solomon’s discovery that when God is excluded from one’s existence, the benefits of wisdom and learning are futile. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (New Living Translation) For everything there is a season, A time for every activity under heaven. 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A Time for Everything. The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it, "to everything under the heaven there is a time"; and Jarchi observes that in the Misnic language the word used so signifies. May I trust You through all the circumstances of life and as I seek Your face in prayer and praise, may I learn more and more to pray, "Thy will be done in my life and throughout the world." This is a difficult passage to understand because the preceding poem is difficult to understand. Olympiodorus distinguishes too sharply when he understands the former of duration of time, and the latter of a point of time; while the state of the matter is this, that by χρόνος the idea comprehends the termini a quo and ad quem, while by καιρός it is limited to the terminus a quo. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ver. ( 1 Samuel 3:12, 2 Samuel 23:5, Psalms 89:34, Matthew 24:35, 1:17). This allows the audience to understand that whatever circumstance they have found themselves in, it is not by sheer chance, and it is not uncommon. Solomon identified times for all sorts of contrasting events that continue to impact the lives of everyone under the sun. But it must be considered, that he doth not here speak of a thee allowed by God, wherein all the following things may lawfully be done, which is wholly besides his scope and business; but only of a thee fixed by God, in which they would or should be done. Provides the basic meaning of the providence of God. The artwork is inspired by Ecclesiastes 3 where the writer speaks of there being a … Ecclesiastes, like Proverbs, is classified as a Wisdom book. Now, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Solomon goes on to explain how we can understand time and the times. God and time. If God is in the center of one’s worldview, the pursuits of life can be put in their proper place, not offering meaning for life, but offering enjoyment. 1. Each verse lists a set of contrasting couplets. What is the point of all our accomplishments? We come now to the second major section of the book (Ecclesiastes 3:1 Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:American King James Version × –5:20). Its subject is of great consequence to us. God's whole plan for the government of the world will … Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Review: It appears that Solomon waited until he had completed his investigation of “life under the sun,” before he began the book with his sweeping conclusion that all is “vanity of vanities”(1:2). Thank You, Father, that You know the end from the beginning and that everything under heaven is within Your authority. 572) for the derivation from ענה, the higher power of אנה, whence (Arab.) None at all. And by virtue of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. And when it seems as though He is … But more than just intellectually assenting to that truth, disciples of the Word are enjoined to lay out our calendars and schedules and give the “One from above” first place, in real time. Ecclesiastes 3: 1 As the Bible says: Ecclesiastes 3: 1 “For every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven”. What profit — What real and abiding benefit? There is an appointed time for everything. A time to love, &c.— The third proof the proposition laid down in the beginning, and comprised in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is taken from the endless vicissitude of things in this world, and especially of those which depend on our choice. What profit — What real and abiding benefit? 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