Ecclesiastes 8:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The individual who adheres to the commandment will be exempt from the knowledge of wickedness; the timing and understanding reveal the heart of the discerning. Notably, the phrase ‘shall not know the word of evil’ is interpreted in place of ‘shall not suffer’ or ‘shall not dwell within him.’ For it is also stated concerning the Savior, ‘He that knew no sin was made sin for us’ (2 Cor. 5:21). Instead of the term ‘word,’ Symmachus rendered it as ‘works,’ conveying that ‘the one who observes the commandment shall not experience the work of evil.’ This indicates that one must obey the king’s decree, comprehend what he commands, understand the reasons behind it, and discern the appropriate timing.

You will discover elsewhere the statement: He that keepeth the commandment shall experience no evil. This clearly indicates that it is not the awareness of sin that is condemned, but rather the companionship with it.

It is more beneficial and advantageous, while remaining faithful to the sacred commandments, to avoid speaking wickedly. The discerning individual understands and anticipates that the judgment to occur at the appointed time will be just.

One who understands righteousness simultaneously recognizes wickedness. In this context, “to know” implies an awareness rather than an action, focusing on discerning between the two. If we are called to avoid wrongdoing and embrace virtue, then awareness of evil is essential for us to distance ourselves from it and choose what is good. The apostle highlights this by stating, Test all things, hold fast to good, keep away from every kind of evil (1 Thess. 5:21-22). It is evident that one who evaluates all matters discerns what is truly good, identifies what is to be cherished, and distinguishes what is evil, which must be rejected.

While the notion of wisdom may be limited in scope, it holds tremendous significance for humanity, for it instructs individuals to accept with composure the authorities that govern their lives (8:1). It guides them to follow, without hesitation or fail, the edicts of the sovereign (2-4), the universal law: even though humans possess free will, they ought to exercise it through wise submission to this highest command rather than through irrational defiance (5-7). Wisdom also imparts lessons on yielding to the unavoidable reality of death, which no one can evade (8); it encourages compliance with the directives of God’s will, wherein at times, a person’s destiny may not align with their actions (9-14), and in such alignment alone lies the possibility of truly enjoying life (15). Thus, the most virtuous course is to savor what is present, as every effort to grasp the meanings of worldly events often proves fruitless (16-17).