Time after Pentecost · Proper 13 · Year C
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26
Vanity of Toil
August 6, 2028

Overview & Insights
"Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
The Teacher surveys everything done under the sun and pronounces it all fleeting, since the fruit of hard labor passes to someone who did not earn it. Even wisdom cannot exempt a person from this common fate.
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Commentary
Ecclesiastes 1 Commentary: Vanity of Vanities Enduring Word · David Guzik
Covers the Preacher's opening verdict that all is vapor.
Ecclesiastes 2 Commentary: Vanity of Pleasure, Wisdom, and Labor Enduring Word · David Guzik
Covers the Preacher's despair over leaving his labor to an unknown heir.
Ecclesiastes 1 Commentary Precept Austin
Word study on the Preacher's claim that all his work is vapor.
Ecclesiastes 2 Commentary Precept Austin
Word study on the Preacher's turn to enjoying food, drink, and toil as God's gift.
Ecclesiastes 1:2-14 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentary on the vanity of vanities verdict.
Ecclesiastes 1 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight
Older exegetical detail on the Preacher's opening argument.
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 Working Preacher
Reads the Preacher's vanity verdict alongside the parable of the rich fool it pairs with.
Ecclesiastes 2:18 interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text behind the Preacher's despair over his heir.
Background & Word Study
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