Ecclesiastes 1:3

Berean Standard Bible

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

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What Lasts Beneath the Sun

What gain has man from all his weary toil,

Beneath the sun where days in circles spin?

The earth endures, yet labor’s fleeting spoil

Fades like the wind, no trace of where it’s been.

The fields are sown, the hands grow worn and frail,

Yet seasons pass, and time’s relentless gale

Sweeps all away—our works, our fleeting gain—

Like dust that dances, lost in endless strain.

The rivers run, yet never fill the sea,

The sun ascends, then hastens to its rest.

Man’s striving builds, but none can hold the key

To lasting worth, though heart and hands invest.

Each task repeats, no newness to be found,

The earth’s old song plays on with tireless sound.

What profit then, in all we strive to do,

When vanity’s shadow cloaks the work we pursue?

Yet in this toil, a whisper calls the soul,

To seek the One whose purpose stands secure.

Beyond the sun, where fleeting things grow whole,

God’s hidden plan through endless time endures.

Our labor fades, but faith in Him remains,

A seed that blooms through losses and through pains.

Beneath the sun, let wisdom guide our way,

To live for God, whose work will never sway.

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Ecclesiastes 1:3, in the New International Version, asks, “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” This verse, positioned early in the Book of Ecclesiastes, serves as a thematic cornerstone for the book’s exploration of life’s meaning and purpose. Attributed traditionally to King Solomon, referred to as Qoheleth or “the Teacher,” Ecclesiastes grapples with existential questions through a lens of wisdom, observation, and theological reflection. To fully unpack this verse, we must examine its linguistic nuances, historical and cultural context, theological implications, literary role within Ecclesiastes, and its enduring relevance, all while situating it within the broader wisdom tradition of ancient Israel.

The question posed in Ecclesiastes 1:3 is both rhetorical and probing, setting the stage for the book’s philosophical inquiry. The Hebrew term translated as “gain” is yitron, a rare word in the Old Testament that appears primarily in Ecclesiastes. It denotes profit, advantage, or surplus—something tangible or meaningful that remains after effort is expended. By framing human labor in terms of yitron, Qoheleth introduces a mercantile metaphor, inviting readers to evaluate life’s endeavors as one might assess a business transaction. This choice of language reflects the pragmatic orientation of wisdom literature, which often seeks to discern what is worthwhile or enduring. Yet, the question’s tone suggests skepticism, hinting that the answer may be less straightforward than expected.

The phrase “all their labors at which they toil” encompasses the full spectrum of human activity. The Hebrew word for “labor” (amal) implies strenuous effort, often with a sense of weariness or burden. It covers not only physical work but also intellectual, creative, and social endeavors—everything humans strive to achieve. The verb “toil” reinforces this sense of arduous exertion, evoking the image of relentless task endurance. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where survival often depended on agriculture, construction, or trade, labor was a central feature of life. For the Israelites, work was both a divine mandate (Genesis 2:15) and a consequence of the Fall (Genesis 3:17-19), imbued with purpose yet marked by frustration. Qoheleth’s question thus resonates with the lived experience of his audience, who knew the toll of toil all too well.

The phrase “under the sun” is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes, appearing 29 times throughout the book. It serves as a stylistic signature and a theological boundary, limiting Qoheleth’s inquiry to the observable, earthly realm. In the context of ancient Israelite thought, “under the sun” excludes divine or eternal perspectives, focusing instead on human experience within the temporal world. This phrase underscores the book’s phenomenological approach, as Qoheleth examines life through observation and reason rather than divine revelation. It also introduces a sense of universality, as the question applies to all people, regardless of status, culture, or era. By situating labor “under the sun,” Qoheleth invites readers to confront the apparent futility of human effort when viewed solely from a terrestrial vantage point.

Theologically, Ecclesiastes 1:3 challenges conventional assumptions about the rewards of work and the nature of human existence. In the broader wisdom tradition, as seen in Proverbs, diligence is often linked to prosperity and blessing (Proverbs 10:4). Yet, Qoheleth questions whether labor yields any lasting yitron. This skepticism aligns with the book’s broader theme of hebel, often translated as “vanity” or “meaninglessness” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The Hebrew term hebel literally means “vapor” or “breath,” suggesting something fleeting, insubstantial, or enigmatic. While Ecclesiastes 1:3 does not explicitly use hebel, the question anticipates the conclusion that human toil may be transient, unable to produce enduring gain in the face of mortality and the cyclical nature of existence (Ecclesiastes 1:4-11).

This perspective is further illuminated by the cultural and intellectual milieu of Ecclesiastes. Written likely in the post-exilic period (circa 5th-3rd century BCE), the book reflects a time of social and theological transition for Israel. Under Persian or Hellenistic rule, traditional certainties about divine retribution and national prosperity were strained. Qoheleth’s questioning may echo the influence of broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions, such as Mesopotamian texts like the Dialogue of Pessimism, which also grapple with the futility of human effort. However, Ecclesiastes remains distinctly Israelite, grounding its inquiry in the worship of Yahweh (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The tension in 1:3—between the expectation of gain and the suspicion of its absence—reflects a mature theological wrestling with the complexities of faith in a world where divine purposes are not always clear.

Literarily, Ecclesiastes 1:3 functions as a thematic pivot, transitioning from the book’s opening declaration of hebel (1:2) to a series of observations about the natural and human world (1:4-11). The question introduces the Teacher’s method of inquiry: posing bold, unsettling questions, testing assumptions, and inviting readers to reflect. The verses that follow reinforce the sense of futility, describing the endless cycles of nature—generations passing, the sun rising and setting, winds blowing, rivers flowing—none of which yield permanent change (1:4-7). Human labor, Qoheleth suggests, may be similarly cyclical, producing no ultimate yitron. This sets up the book’s dialectical structure, where Qoheleth alternates between despair and affirmation, ultimately pointing to a life of faithful enjoyment within God’s sovereign order (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; 12:13-14).

The question in Ecclesiastes 1:3 also invites comparison with other biblical texts. In Genesis, labor is both a divine gift and a curse, suggesting a paradoxical value that Ecclesiastes explores. The Psalms, particularly Psalm 90, echo Qoheleth’s awareness of human transience, yet affirm God’s eternal purposes. In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings on storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) offer a counterpoint to Qoheleth’s earthly focus, suggesting that true yitron lies beyond the sun. These intertextual connections highlight Ecclesiastes’ unique contribution to biblical theology: its unflinching honesty about the limits of human achievement and its call to trust God amid life’s enigmas.

For contemporary readers, Ecclesiastes 1:3 remains profoundly relevant. In a culture driven by productivity, success, and measurable outcomes, Qoheleth’s question challenges the assumption that work inherently yields lasting gain. The relentless pace of modern life, coupled with the transient nature of achievements—careers, wealth, status—mirrors the Teacher’s observations. The verse prompts reflection on what constitutes true yitron: Is it wealth, recognition, or something less tangible, like relationships, character, or faith? Ecclesiastes does not dismiss the value of work but relativizes it, urging readers to find meaning not in outcomes but in the process of living faithfully before God (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).

Practically, Ecclesiastes 1:3 invites a reorientation of priorities. By questioning the ultimate profit of toil, Qoheleth encourages humility, contentment, and a recognition of human limits. This perspective aligns with the book’s later affirmations of enjoying life’s simple gifts—food, drink, and work—as divine blessings (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25). For Christians, the verse also points to the hope of eternal significance through Christ, whose redemptive work transcends the futility of hebel (Colossians 3:23-24). In this sense, Ecclesiastes 1:3 is not a counsel of despair but a call to live wisely, embracing both the reality of life’s transience and the possibility of meaning within God’s purposes.

In conclusion, Ecclesiastes 1:3 encapsulates the book’s bold inquiry into the value of human labor and the search for lasting gain. Through its incisive question, Qoheleth challenges readers to confront the apparent futility of toil “under the sun,” while setting the stage for a nuanced exploration of wisdom, faith, and enjoyment. Rooted in the Israelite wisdom tradition yet universal in its scope, the verse speaks to the human condition, inviting reflection on what truly matters in a world of fleeting endeavors. Its enduring power lies in its honesty, its provocation, and its subtle pointing toward a life anchored in reverence for God, where meaning emerges not from profit but from faithful presence in the divine order.

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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.