Ecclesiastes 2:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Another speaker criticizes the pursuit of earthly concerns, pointing out that a person works not for their own gain but for someone who will follow after them. Whatever they strive to create in this life—be it shipyards, fortifications, magnificent buildings, beautiful landscapes, or fruitful orchards—their legacy may ultimately fall into the hands of someone who could misuse it. One cannot predict what intentions the next person may harbor, or if they will squander the abundant resources left to them. Ecclesiastes states that he endeavored to seek wisdom and understanding, testing himself against the challenges of life. Like a young horse that has briefly strayed into the realm of carnal desire, he has since brought his mind back under the control of reason. He questions whether those who succeed him will possess the strength to resist the allure of indulgence or surrender to it.

Thus, he asserts, “I loathe all my efforts and toil; I exert myself under the sun, only to hand it over to the individual who comes after me. And who knows if that person will be wise or foolish, or whether they will benefit from all my labor and wisdom gained under the sun?” Here lies the essence of his message: Ecclesiastes clarifies that he did not pursue a hedonistic lifestyle out of mere passion; rather, his journey was guided by wisdom. He engaged freely with life, without submitting to its seductive powers. Therefore, he wonders if the one who follows will inherit what he did not gain through desire but through wisdom itself. It is apparent that he equated pleasure with effort, allowing himself to delve into enjoyment through what he perceived as an unavoidable struggle. Hence, Ecclesiastes concludes that such entanglements should also be regarded as part of life’s many vanities.

Taking a broader view, it appears that Solomon may be referring to spiritual endeavors, suggesting that a wise person dedicates himself tirelessly to the study of the Scriptures, creating works intended to endure through the ages. However, these contributions may end up in the hands of the foolish, who, driven by their corrupt hearts, misinterpret them, spreading seeds of heresy and praising the creations of others. If Ecclesiastes were solely focused on material wealth, why would he mention labor and possessions in the context of, "and he shall dispose of all my labor by which I labored, and in which I was made wise under the sun"? What true wisdom is there in amassing earthly treasures?

While there is emptiness found in carnal and material existence, as well as in the purely intellectual realm, this does not imply that human life should descend into chaos or licentiousness. Instead, it proposes a principle that harmonizes knowledge with enjoyment, acknowledging that such gifts are granted solely by God and to those who are righteous. The joy of living does not hinge on human effort but is ultimately a divine gift. God adjudicates good and evil based on the moral fiber of individuals, establishing the principle that one should live virtuously and find delight in life by marrying wisdom with enjoyment. This tenet is validated by the understanding that all things hold relative significance, wherein nothing is inherently good or bad, nor pleasant or unpleasant; rather, their nature is shaped by the circumstances of each moment.