Ecclesiastes 7:18

c. Choose the best in life. Ecclesiastes 7:18

TEXT 7:18

18

It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other, for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:18

203.

Identify the two things one should hold on to. (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17)

204.

What condition must one meet in order to come forth with both of them?

PARAPHRASE 7:18

It is good that you take hold of the true righteousness, and also that you grasp the idea that you should not lead a life of sin. Hold on to both of these for the one who departs from evil and seeks the good will escape the power of wickedness.

COMMENT 7:18

Solomon is now admonishing his readers to follow the wisdom of acting upon the previously stated observations. He adds the incentive that if they will do this, they will always be free from the evils which destroy us and kill us before our time. The condition that must be met which enables one to maintain his good name and attain unto wisdom is to practice the fear of God. This fear is a healthy reverence for God which results in departing from evil and following that which is good. Such pious activity will safeguard one against the dangers delineated in the two preceding verses.

The latter part of this verse presents a problem in translation and subsequently in interpretation. The Anchor Bible reads: He who fears God will consider both sides. In a footnote on this verse, the translators openly state that it does not refer to wisdom and folly but to both sides of a question. However, there is more involved here than just the investigation of both sides of a question. Solomon is specific in pointing to the evils of self-righteousness, false wisdom, indulging in wickedness, and acting foolishly. The pursuit of any of these evils would destroy one's good name. The high good of attaining unto wisdom would thus be missed.

The New American Standard Version states that the wise man will come forth with both of them. In this case the them would refer to purity of life and wisdom. The preposition with suggests that he desires to have them and figuratively holds them in his hands.

An opposite view is that the them refers to self-righteousness and folly, and that the wise man will escape from them. The following translations are based on this interpretation: For he who fears God will come forth from every case (Leupold); ... he that feareth God shall escape from all (Hengstenberg).

Although the difficulty in translation exists, the main message is not diminished. Solomon is teaching that the wise man, who labors to maintain his good name, will do all within his power to turn away from evil and do good (1 Peter 3:10). In his honest pursuit he will be delivered from the snare of the Devil and he will come forth with righteousness and wisdom in his hand.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:18

369.

What incentive to do good does Solomon now suggest?

370.

Define fear as it is used in this verse.

371.

Identify and explain the two main interpretations of the latter part of the verse.

372.

Explain what the main message of the verse is, and why neither interpretation violates the primary lesson of this section.