Ecclesiastes 6:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is to come has already been established, and it is recognized that it pertains to a man, who cannot be evaluated by one stronger than he. The announcement regarding the arrival of the Savior is clear: even before His manifestation in the flesh, His name was foretold in the Scriptures and acknowledged by the prophets and saints of God. It is understood that He is a man and, in His humanity, cannot be equal to the Father, as expressed in the Gospel, ‘He that sent Me is greater than I’ (John 14:28). Therefore, it is instructed in further teaching that we should not seek to know beyond what is written about Him, lest we desire to understand more than what the Scriptures affirm.

Nonetheless, what has occurred is already evident, and it is apparent that humanity cannot withstand that which transcends it.

To address the reckless yearning for material riches, the virtuous individual underscores that wealth holds some merit only when put to use; devoid of any pleasures, it is utterly worthless. It is better for one to suffer a miscarriage than to live as a wealthy man; a miscarriage signifies complete emptiness, yet it goes unrecognized by one who is unaware of true nothingness, while the affluent do indeed experience and comprehend this void. Existence is preferable to leading such a life, regardless of its duration. Labor and wisdom do not fulfill the human spirit; thus, it is wiser to partake in genuine blessings with moderation, to curb one’s desires, and to refrain from engaging in fruitless conflicts with a higher authority for their satisfaction. We cannot ascertain whether our pursuits are truly beneficial or if the fulfillment of our ambitions will bring joy, nor can we predict what awaits us after death, which often serves as a source of solace for humanity.