Ecclesiastes 7:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having chosen a challenging path for yourself, when you find yourself questioning, ‘Why has God allowed hardships to come our way?’ remember the origins of this struggle; understand that we ourselves are the architects of our own suffering. God did not intend for our nature to be besieged by afflictions, for at the time of our creation, He bestowed upon us His greatest blessings. If this seems unbelievable, consider the Scriptures, which declare, “I found that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Reflect on Adam’s initial condition; there was neither sorrow nor anxiety, which later emerged as consequences for transgression. He was called to refrain from evils he had never contemplated before.

It is truly remarkable, dear friends: though we are mere mortals, we are blessed with a good Father. What could be clearer? We have been informed of our nature, as it is written: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). Observe how the Evangelist illustrates our Father – referring to those he deems wicked: …how much more will your Father give good things to those who ask Him? (Matt. 7:11). Whose Father is this? Clearly, He is the Father of the wicked. And what sort of Father is He? He would not be good if He were not the One True God. Thus, dear friends, it follows that although we are imperfect, we possess a good Father, so that we need not remain in our imperfections forever. No wicked person can do good.

It is essential to illuminate the understanding of the Church regarding the nature of evil, emphasizing that it originates neither from God nor is present within Him. Evil did not exist at the dawn of creation and lacks its own inherent nature. Instead, humanity, having lost sight of the notion of goodness, has begun to fabricate and envision their own realities according to their desires. Just as a person who, despite the sun shining brightly and illuminating the entire earth, perceives only darkness and stumbles blindly, so too does the soul, having shut its eyes to the possibility of perceiving God, conceive of malevolent thoughts.

Upon careful examination of all matters, I have realized that by gradually indulging in sins and compounding them, we generate a significant accumulation of transgressions. The term 'esebon,' commonly rendered as λογισμός, can convey meanings of 'number,' 'sum,' 'mind,' and 'thought' due to the interrelation of the Hebrew term. Nevertheless, my soul sought to discover whether a virtuous woman existed. I found scarcely a handful of righteous men—perhaps one in a thousand—but no virtuous women at all. They inclined me away from goodness and towards indulgence. As it is said, "the inclination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21), and nearly all have provoked God's wrath; thus, in this degradation of humanity, women seem particularly susceptible to failure.

I came to understand that God created humanity with an upright spirit; however, individuals are often drawn away into diverse thoughts and ceaseless endeavors. They profess to seek knowledge but waste their time on trivial conversations.

According to Ecclesiastes, "For God created the man of righteousness," and many have pondered this truth. The Apostle states, "created for good works" (Eph. 2:10), emphasizing that we are indeed His creations. As a benevolent Creator, God made us for virtuous deeds; however, humanity chose to embrace wickedness through its own volition.

Thus, the nature of our thoughts is ultimately in our hands. It is often said that a virtuous thought draws near to those who recognize it, and a wise person will discover it. Everything that can be uncovered is reliant on our wisdom and effort; however, if something remains undiscovered, it surely reflects our negligence or lack of understanding, rather than a flaw of nature itself.

The tumult of desires does not originate from God the Father and Creator, as if it were intrinsically embedded within us; rather, it is evident that it stems from the worldly cravings that we have chosen over the Creator. God fashioned humanity in righteousness, yet they entangled themselves in numerous inquiries, a notion supported by Solomon. Similarly, James articulated: Let no one say when tempted, God is tempting me; for God does not experience temptation by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. Rather, each person is tempted when they are lured and enticed by their own desires (James 1:13-14).

In our current era, when individuals increasingly "seek the thoughts of many" (Ecclesiastes 7:30), and from an early age strive to stimulate and enhance intellectual engagement, when amid the multitude of human ideas, they pursue fictional knowledge, sophistication, pleasure, wealth, and fame, causing their souls to be easily entangled with distracting thoughts, it becomes all the more essential to draw people towards deep, pure, elevated, and devout contemplation.

God fashioned humanity in a state of purity, reflecting beauty and goodness, devoid of any deformity or distortion. However, individuals allowed a multitude of thoughts to arise within themselves, engaging with many ideas rather than focusing on a singular one. This is because there are numerous sources of wickedness. While there is one image of man that reflects the divine, there are many variations into which he transforms when he strays from that image. In cunning, he takes on the guise of a fox; when filled with malice, he resembles a serpent; in ferocity, he mirrors a lion; and when he becomes unrestrained and deceitful, he takes on the form of a dog. Thus, from the singular essence of humanity emerges a plethora of forms and distinctions. Ultimately, even if it may not be acknowledged, the goal is to shed all these facades and reveal the true creation of God. In his original state, man possessed a unified thought.

God, understanding that some individuals follow His will while others do not, honors the goodness of those who obey, inciting the others to become envious of their righteousness from the very beginning. In His care for those who stray, He has deemed them insignificant. It is not that He has fashioned some as commendable and others as unworthy from the moment of birth. For if that were true, what would be the need to commend the good and reprimand the wicked, as if He Himself were the origin of both? Thus, it would also be unjust to hold individuals responsible for their wickedness if they were created that way from the outset.

The wise individual should focus on the ultimate purpose of life. It is more prudent to remember the fleeting nature and triviality of worldly pleasures than to engage in self-deception by indulging in them. Recognizing the futility of earthly pursuits, the preacher cautions everyone to be wary of resentment and impatience. When undertaking a task, one must assess it thoughtfully and avoid approaching it with arrogance, as outcomes often surpass initial expectations; therefore, patience is advisable while awaiting results. Complaining is the action of those who oppose the divine order.