Ecclesiastes 1:3

Letters to the Faithful - Ecclesiastes 1:3

Berean Standard Bible
What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?

King James Bible
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Hebrew Text:

מַה־יִּתְרוֹן לָאָדָם בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ

Transliteration:

Mah yitron la'adam bekhol-'amalo she-ya'amol tachat ha-shemesh

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What does a man gain from all his labor
This phrase questions the ultimate benefit or profit of human effort. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it reflects the theme of vanity and the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits. The Hebrew word for "gain" (yitron) suggests a surplus or advantage, which is often elusive in the temporal world. This echoes the sentiment found in Matthew 16:26, where Jesus asks, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" The rhetorical nature of the question invites reflection on the eternal versus the temporal, urging readers to consider the spiritual significance of their actions.

at which he toils
The word "toils" implies hard work and effort, often associated with the curse of labor given to Adam in Genesis 3:17-19. This laborious aspect of human life is a consequence of the Fall, highlighting the struggle and pain involved in work. The toil here is not just physical but also mental and emotional, encompassing the entirety of human endeavor. The New Testament offers a contrast in Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites those who labor and are heavy-laden to find rest in Him, suggesting a spiritual rest that transcends earthly toil.

under the sun?
"Under the sun" is a key phrase in Ecclesiastes, used to describe life from a purely earthly perspective. It emphasizes the limitations of human understanding and the futility of life when viewed apart from God. This phrase appears frequently throughout the book, underscoring the preacher's exploration of life's meaning. Theologically, it contrasts with the heavenly perspective offered in Colossians 3:2, which encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of the world, pointing to the eternal hope found in Christ.

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Beloved in the Lord, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, who is the fountain of all wisdom and the source of every good and perfect gift. I write to you, my dear brothers and sisters, scattered across the face of the earth, bound together by the eternal hope that is ours in Christ Jesus, to stir your hearts and minds toward a contemplation of the sacred words inscribed in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one, verse three, where the Preacher, in the Spirit’s inspiration, declares: “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” These words, heavy with the weight of divine truth, call us to pause, to reflect, and to lift our eyes beyond the fleeting shadows of this world to the unchanging glory of our Creator. Let us, therefore, with humble hearts and attentive spirits, ponder this question together, that we may be conformed more fully to the mind of God and walk in the path of His righteousness.

Consider, O beloved, the labor of your hands, the strivings of your heart, and the ceaseless toiling that fills your days. From the rising of the sun to its setting, you sow and reap, you build and gather, you pursue dreams and chase after provision. The farmer tills the soil, the merchant counts his gain, the scholar seeks knowledge, and the artisan perfects his craft. Yet the Preacher’s question pierces through the veil of our endeavors: What profit is there in all this labor under the sun? Is there not a vanity, a fleeting breath, in the works of men, when viewed apart from the eternal purposes of God? The sun rises and sets, the rivers flow to the sea, and the generations come and go, yet the earth remains, unmoved, while our labors, like the wind, pass away and are forgotten. This is no mere lament, but a divine summons to awaken from the slumber of worldly pursuits and to seek that which endures beyond the sun’s fleeting light.

O you who labor, hear the wisdom of the Spirit! The Preacher does not bid us to despise our work or to cast aside the duties God has appointed, for He Himself has ordained that we should labor and steward the gifts of His creation. But he warns us against setting our hearts upon the fruits of our toil as though they were our ultimate end. The profit of earthly labor, when sought for its own sake, is but a chasing after the wind—a toil that satisfies neither the soul nor the eternity for which we were made. The gold of the rich tarnishes, the towers of the mighty crumble, and the wisdom of the learned fades into silence. Under the sun, all is vanity unless it is offered unto the One who is above the sun, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator who gives meaning to all things.

Let us, therefore, turn our gaze to the eternal God, whose purposes transcend the cycles of this world. The Preacher’s question is not meant to cast us into despair but to lead us to the feet of Him who alone is our true profit and our everlasting reward. In Christ, the vanity of our labor is transformed into an offering of worship, and the fleeting works of our hands are woven into the tapestry of God’s redemptive plan. Did not our Lord Himself labor among us as a carpenter, sanctifying the toil of human hands? Did He not, in His death and resurrection, redeem our broken efforts and make us co-heirs of a kingdom that cannot fade? Through Him, our labor is not in vain, for it is united to the eternal work of God, who is building a city whose builder and maker is Himself.

I beseech you, beloved, to examine your hearts. Where have you sought your profit? In the praise of men, the accumulation of wealth, or the fleeting pleasures of this age? Repent, and turn to the living God, who alone can satisfy the longing of your soul. Let your labor be an act of love, offered to Him who first loved you. To the worker, let your toil be for the glory of God and the good of your neighbor. To the parent, let your care for your children be a reflection of the Father’s care for His own. To the student, let your pursuit of knowledge be a quest to know the One who is the truth. And to all who suffer under the weight of fruitless labor, take heart, for your Redeemer sees your tears and will wipe them away in the day of His coming.

Moreover, let us be a people who labor not only for ourselves but for the advancement of God’s kingdom. The Preacher’s question reminds us that our true profit lies not in what we gain under the sun but in what we give for the sake of eternity. Share the gospel with those who dwell in darkness, comfort the afflicted, and uphold the cause of the oppressed. Let your hands be swift to serve, your hearts quick to forgive, and your lips ready to proclaim the mercies of God. In this, your labor will bear fruit that endures, for it is rooted in the love of Christ, which never fails.

As I draw this letter to a close, I exhort you to live with eternity in view. The question of Ecclesiastes 1:3 is a mirror held before our souls, revealing the vanity of a life lived apart from God and the glory of a life surrendered to Him. Under the sun, all is fleeting, but above the sun, all is eternal. Fix your eyes, therefore, on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and is now seated at the right hand of God. In Him, your labor is not in vain, your sorrows are not wasted, and your life is hidden in the unsearchable riches of God’s grace.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. May you walk in the light of His truth, labor in the strength of His Spirit, and rest in the hope of His eternal kingdom.

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O Eternal and Most Gracious God, Creator of heaven and earth, whose wisdom surpasses the understanding of men and whose purposes endure beyond the fleeting cycles of this world, we come before Your throne of grace with humble hearts, lifting our voices in unison as Your people, scattered across the nations yet bound together by the everlasting covenant of Your love. We stand in awe of You, O Lord, who alone is the fountain of life, the giver of every good gift, and the One who holds all things in the palm of Your sovereign hand. Today, we meditate upon the words of Your servant, the Preacher, who in Ecclesiastes 1:3 asks, “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” In this question, we hear Your Spirit calling us to seek You above all else, and so we pour out our hearts in prayer, seeking Your mercy, Your guidance, and Your eternal perspective to transform our fleeting labors into offerings of eternal worth.

Father of all mercies, we confess that too often we have labored in vain, chasing after the wind, setting our hearts upon the treasures of this world that fade like the grass of the field. We have sought profit in wealth that perishes, in honors that vanish, and in pleasures that cannot satisfy the soul. Forgive us, O God, for the times we have toiled under the sun without lifting our eyes to You, the One who is above the sun, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Cleanse us by the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who labored even unto death to redeem us from the vanity of this world and to make us heirs of Your eternal kingdom. Renew our minds, we pray, that we may discern the true profit of our labor, which is found only in knowing You, loving You, and serving You with all our heart, soul, and strength.

Lord of all creation, we lift before You the labors of Your people, from the rising of the sun to its setting. For those who toil in the fields, the factories, and the marketplaces, grant them strength to work as unto You, that their efforts may provide for their needs and reflect Your provision. For those who labor in the home, raising children, tending to families, and bearing burdens unseen, fill them with Your patience and love, that their sacrifices may be a sweet fragrance in Your sight. For those who study, teach, and seek knowledge, enlighten their minds with Your truth, that they may grow in the wisdom that comes from above. And for those who serve in Your church, proclaiming Your gospel and shepherding Your flock, anoint them with Your Spirit, that their labor may bear fruit for Your kingdom.

O God, our refuge and strength, we pray for those whose labor feels fruitless, whose hearts are weary under the weight of toil without reward. To the discouraged, grant hope; to the exhausted, grant rest; to the grieving, grant comfort. Let them know that their sighs are heard by You, their tears are seen by You, and their labors, when offered in faith, are never in vain. Remind them, O Lord, that in Christ, every act of love, every moment of obedience, and every sacrifice for Your name’s sake is woven into the eternal tapestry of Your redemptive plan. May they find their profit in You, the One who gives meaning to all things and who promises a harvest of righteousness to those who persevere in faith.

We beseech You, O Holy One, to turn our hearts toward the work of Your kingdom, that our labor may not be consumed by the vanity of this age but may advance the cause of Your gospel. Stir us to share the good news of salvation with those who dwell in darkness, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to uphold the cause of the oppressed. Make us a people who labor not for ourselves alone but for the glory of Your name and the good of our neighbors. Let our hands be swift to serve, our feet quick to go where You lead, and our lips ready to proclaim Your praises. May our work, whether great or small, be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, through the grace of Your Son who labored for our salvation.

O Lord, our everlasting hope, we pray that You would fix our eyes upon the eternal profit that is ours in Christ. Under the sun, all is vanity, but in You, all is redeemed. Teach us to number our days, to walk in Your fear, and to store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy. As we labor in this passing world, let us do so with eternity in view, knowing that our true home is with You, where we shall behold Your face and worship You forever. Keep us steadfast, O God, until that glorious day when You return to gather Your people and to make all things new. Let our labor be joined to Yours, that we may share in the joy of Your eternal kingdom.

Now to You, O God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, be glory and honor, dominion and power, both now and forever. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.