Ecclesiastes

by Charles Bridges

Charles Bridges' commentary on Ecclesiastes shows that this neglected book of Scripture

- Relevant for today. Our land needs to be awakened to the futility of seeking happiness without God.
- Clear when interpreted in the light of its overall theme.
- Suitable not merely for 'the light-hearted and thoughtless' but for 'the most eminent saint of God'.
- Necessary. 'On no account could we have spared this book from the canon. It has its own sphere of instruction and that of no common value'.
- Harmonious with the New Testament. 'We cannot fully enforce and apply Ecclesiastes except by the aid of Gospel light'.
- Sanctifying. The message of the book is designed to bring men to complete consecration to God, as Bridges 'The men that we want are lively, warm, real men- men who have a daily contact with a personal living Saviour- men whose religion is the element in which they breathe, the principle by which they work- men who think of life as the seed time for eternity'.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

320 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1960

Reviews

[Michael K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Peter Mahaffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food for the soul.

[John Uit de Flesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but Bridges is maybe a bit more pious that Solomon.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Joshua Horn · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Katie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Matthew Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Annie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best commentaries I have ever read. Rich and poignant.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Christopher Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class material

[Lisa DiG · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?”

[Johnny Fortune · Rating 5 out of 5]

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."

[Read1000books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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).

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorta good.