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An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes
Excerpt from An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes
But to come more closely to the difficulties connect ed with this Book - Besides the objections brought against its principles, the peculiar construction of some of its maxims occasionally gives rise to perplexity. Mr. Holden adverts to the mistake of taking in their utmost extent expressions designed to convey a qualified and limited signification.' He wisely re marks General propositions are not always to be received in the strictest sense of the words. And particular observations must not be stretched beyond the intention of the writer. This results from the in herent imperfection of language, that his expressions ought to be interpreted with such restrictions, as are necessarily required by common sense, and the scope of the context. If several expressions in the Ecclesiastes, which have been condemned, be understood in this qualified sense - a sense clearly suggested by truth and reason - they will be found in every respect worthy of the inspired Author, from whom they proceed.
But with all its difficulties, we must admit the book to be fraught with practical interest. It teaches les sons peculiarly its own - lessons, which we are too slow to learn; and yet. Which we must thoroughly learn for our own personal profit and happiness.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
But to come more closely to the difficulties connect ed with this Book - Besides the objections brought against its principles, the peculiar construction of some of its maxims occasionally gives rise to perplexity. Mr. Holden adverts to the mistake of taking in their utmost extent expressions designed to convey a qualified and limited signification.' He wisely re marks General propositions are not always to be received in the strictest sense of the words. And particular observations must not be stretched beyond the intention of the writer. This results from the in herent imperfection of language, that his expressions ought to be interpreted with such restrictions, as are necessarily required by common sense, and the scope of the context. If several expressions in the Ecclesiastes, which have been condemned, be understood in this qualified sense - a sense clearly suggested by truth and reason - they will be found in every respect worthy of the inspired Author, from whom they proceed.
But with all its difficulties, we must admit the book to be fraught with practical interest. It teaches les sons peculiarly its own - lessons, which we are too slow to learn; and yet. Which we must thoroughly learn for our own personal profit and happiness.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
395 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1960
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 17, 2024
I used this book recently to study the Book of Ecclesiastes, alongside the Matthew Henry Commentary of the Bible. A phenomenal book with insights I don't generally get to see in commentaries, now-a-days. If you are an active Bible studier, I would truly suggest finding Archive (dot org) and look up some of the older commentaries from years gone by. This one was written back around 1859, and some of the insights were just awesome, in my opinion!
December 3, 2023
Wonderful!
April 30, 2024
Food for the soul.
August 31, 2021
Bridges has a unique style. He is excellent at connecting other Scriptures and other doctrines to the text at hand. He integrates the text well into the broader Christian mind and experience. In a sense, he declares the text's meaning, and then goes topical. While this style isn't for everyone, I do find his commentaries quite helpful. I think he is one of the best of this genre/style of commentary.
August 23, 2011
Ok, but Bridges is maybe a bit more pious that Solomon.
September 3, 2023
A slow read. Helpful in understanding Ecclesiastes. I still think Alistair Begg’s sermon series is some of the best teaching on Ecclesiastes one can receive.
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August 24, 2026“(The main scope and object of [Ecclesiastes]) is to bring out into clear view the chief good—the true happiness of man, in what it does not consist—not in wisdom, pleasures, honours, and riches of this world—in what it does consist—the enjoyment and service of God.”, p. xii
January 12, 2020
After finishing a reading Ecclesiastes with a lot of questions, I picked up this commentary and read it as a devotional. There were some helpful parts that answered questions I had. The one that stands out the most is the interpretation of ch 12 - "silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken."
There were other difficult passages that I felt like the commentary was just handwaving and Solomon's real point and meaning weren't being addressed.
There were other difficult passages that I felt like the commentary was just handwaving and Solomon's real point and meaning weren't being addressed.
February 16, 2018
Charles Bridges is one of my favorite theologians. He is engaging, easy to follow (though I check the dictionary for many words that are gone from our language today). This is a wonderful story of a man who had everything, who fills himself with pleasure of every kind and then, in old age, comes back to ....only God.
December 28, 2023
A helpful companion. Plenty of hyperlinks to appreciate the broad themes of Ecclesiastes. Not concise, it’s like listening to a sermon. Beautifully written, fills you with awe. He has a tendency to always end on an eschatological or christological note.
It did feel like he sometimes glossed over technical details.
It did feel like he sometimes glossed over technical details.
February 7, 2024
One of the best commentaries I have ever read. Rich and poignant.
February 9, 2024
Classic Bridges, containing some real gems. Not always solid on careful exegesis of the text, but even when he misses his theological instincts are gospel-shaped...
August 26, 2024
First class material
March 28, 2025
For anyone who has found the book of Ecclesiastes a challenging book to understand, I highly recommend Bridges’s loving labors. Deeply insightful, penetrating regarding the vanities of this life. He closes the book with:
“Quitting therefore, the world, with all its vanities, we betake ourselves to that, which alone is free from vanity - the fear and service of God.”
Bridges, and Solomon, close the book with an appropriate eye towards the day of judgment. To the Christian bridges encourages, “The indescribable solemnity of this day has no fear for you. It is your day of unshaken joyous confidence. Those secret sins, which are set before your God “ in the light of his countenance” (Ps 90:8) are screened from the claims of his justice. If the Omniscient God lays them open - “the great high priest” covers him forever, or manifest them sprinkled with atoning blood… for he that will sit upon the throne is no other than he that hung upon the cross, and will not the sunshine of the cross sweep away the terror of the throne?”
“Quitting therefore, the world, with all its vanities, we betake ourselves to that, which alone is free from vanity - the fear and service of God.”
Bridges, and Solomon, close the book with an appropriate eye towards the day of judgment. To the Christian bridges encourages, “The indescribable solemnity of this day has no fear for you. It is your day of unshaken joyous confidence. Those secret sins, which are set before your God “ in the light of his countenance” (Ps 90:8) are screened from the claims of his justice. If the Omniscient God lays them open - “the great high priest” covers him forever, or manifest them sprinkled with atoning blood… for he that will sit upon the throne is no other than he that hung upon the cross, and will not the sunshine of the cross sweep away the terror of the throne?”
July 14, 2013
Third time in the last thirty years.Always refreshing in full of things that I like to write down. A book of the Bible that's passed over much.In our age of THINGS and Selfisms..whats needed is to get back to the beginnings.GOD! "Holiness which no man will see the Lord without."
May 1, 2014
An excellent and thought-provoking commentary on the sometimes hard to understand Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes by a 19th century minister. Also works well to read through like a devotional. (See my review of this same author's book on Proverbs).
April 20, 2018
Another small but valuable book. Focus is on what Ecclesiastes has to say to the church. There are some weaknesses, and a too quick to jump to Christ instead of what the book said to the Old Covenant church first.
March 2, 2009
Sorta good.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews