Ecclesiastes 2:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The essence of this elevated teaching can be found in the words: There is no good for a person who eats and drinks, and claims to find satisfaction in their labor; indeed, I have observed that it is the hand of God that provides for this. For who truly eats and drinks apart from Him? Yet to the one who sins, He allows the burden of collecting and preparing to present the good in the sight of God, for this too is vanity and the will of the spirit. Although the interpretation of what has been previously written and the context of the discussion suggest the conclusions we have just outlined, it is beneficial to revisit the reading and to align our understanding precisely with the text (see Ecclesiastes 2:15).

An additional objection arises: If you deem these external matters to be vanity, O teacher, then you unjustly label as vain what we take within ourselves. Since food and drink are part of us, they cannot be entirely dismissed; in fact, some might argue that these blessings are expressions of God’s favor. This reflects the nature of the objection and frames the discussion. ‘There is no good for man,’ states Ecclesiastes, “except that he eat and drink, and find enjoyment in his labor: and I have seen that this is from the hand of God, that any man eat and drink beside Him” (24-25). This is the argument posed by the proponent of indulgence to the teacher, who is met with the wise reply that ‘man is good’ (26). The reference to the term 'good' signifies a distinction, revealing the true meaning of goodness through contrast.

Thus, goodness pertains to humanity rather than to cattle; it does not refer to those who are solely concerned with their own appetites, lacking true understanding, but to those who embody the likeness of the one True Good. The pleasure ordained by God is not the same as that which animals seek; instead, He will grant wisdom, reason, and joy in place of mere food. Can one truly enhance the gifts of goodness with the indulgences of the belly? ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ (Matthew 4:4), as stated by the true Word. Virtue is not nourished by bread, nor is the strength of the soul enhanced by meat; rather, a higher form of life is sustained through other means that instill courage. The sustenance of the righteous includes chastity as food, wisdom as bread, justice as seasoning, and tranquility as drink; true pleasure does not resemble mere physical gratification, but embodies joy both in name and action (ευφροσύνη). This is why Ecclesiastes uses this term to describe the soul’s disposition toward beauty, asserting that such a state arises from prudence (εκ του ευφρονειν).

We must therefore explore what the Apostle teaches: ‘The kingdom of God is not a kingdom of wine and drink, but of righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom. 14:17). What many pursue for physical pleasure tends to lead to anxieties among sinners, distancing their cares from the high to the earthly as they waste their time gathering only for this life. Thus, anyone who recognizes these things as good in God’s sight fails to see that they are placing good things in vain pursuits. I have articulated this in my own words, but the adding of God's words will solidify this idea. For Ecclesiastes continues, ‘To the sinner He gives the burden of laying up and gathering to present the good things before God: for this also is vanity and the will of the spirit’ (26). Therefore, through this teaching, as we reflect on the comparative nature of good and evil, may we be guided to steer clear of what is condemned and be motivated to pursue what is better.

Despite recognizing that both sensual pleasures and intellectual pursuits lack lasting significance, and that the entirety of human existence may seem vain, it does not imply that life should be reduced to chance or immorality. Instead, a worldly approach would be to integrate wisdom with enjoyment, keeping in mind that all blessings come from God alone, granted to the righteous. The capacity to relish life does not rest with humanity but with the Divine. Since God distinguishes between good and evil based on moral character, the fundamental principle of life is to act righteously and find joy by harmonizing knowledge with enjoyment. The validity of this principle is supported by the understanding that all things hold relative value; nothing is inherently good or evil, pleasing or unpleasant—it is context that shapes these perceptions.