Ecc 3:1, Act 1:7, 1Th 5:1 | JFB | STEP | 1. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water ( ). purpose —as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example, He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," ), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings ( ); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end ( ). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

1. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water (Ec 1:5-7).

purpose—as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example, He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," Ec 3:2), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings (Ec 3:12); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end (1Co 7:31). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them.

Acts 1:7

7. It is not for you to know the times, &c.—implying not only that this was not the time, but that the question was irrelevant to their present business and future work.

1 Thessalonians 5:1

1. times—the general and indefinite term for chronological periods.

seasons—the opportune times (Da 7:12; Ac 1:7). Time denotes quantity; season, quality. Seasons are parts of times.

ye have no need—those who watch do not need to be told when the hour will come, for they are always ready [BENGEL].

cometh—present: expressing its speedy and awful certainty.