To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
All Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:1 Go To Ecclesiastes 3
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Heaven, in this world, where alone things change. (St. Jerome)
Nothing is here perpetual, but to be used in a proper manner. (Worthington)
The heart must not be attached to any thing created. (Calmet)
Pleasure had been condemned and approved, chap. 2. He shows that all must have its time. (Menochius) Ver. 5. Stones, with a sling, or to render a field useless, 4 Kings iii. 25., and Isaias v. 2.
Embraces. Continence was sometimes prescribed to married people, Leviticus xx. 18., and 1 Corinthians vii. (St. Jerome) (St. Augustine, Enchiridion 78.) (Calmet)
Hatred often succeeds love, ver. 8., and 2 Kings xiii. 14. (Haydock) Ver. 9. Labour? What advantage does he derive from any of these things? (Chap. i. 3.) (Calmet) Ver. 11. Consideration. Literally, "dispute. "Hebrew and Septuagint, "heart. "(Haydock)
Pagnin, "He has implanted the desire of immortality in their hearts. "
End. If we could discover the properties of each thing, we should be in raptures; (Calmet) but as we cannot, this increases our vexation. (Menochius) Ver. 12. Well; virtuously: or, perhaps, as literally, to enjoy himself, ver. 13. (Calmet)
Thus thinks the man of pleasure, Isaias xxii. 31. (St. Jerome) Ver. 13. God. He gives peace and plenty; and still more, the grace to use these things, so as to obtain heaven. (Calmet) Ver. 14. Feared. The order of the seasons, teaches men to adore Providence. (St. Jerome)
He has arranged every thing, how mutable soever. (St. Augustine, Confessions i. 6.) Ver. 15. Past. He causes plants to spring forth afresh. Hebrew, Septuagint, "But will God seek after the oppressed? "Here commences another objection. (Calmet) Ver. 17. And then. Protestants, "for there is a time there (
