Ecc 5:18-19 | JFB | STEP | 18. Returns to the sentiment ( ); translate: "Behold the good which I have seen, and which is becoming" (in a man). which God giveth —namely, both the good of his labor and his life. his portion —legitimately. It is God's gift that makes it so when regarded as such. Such a one will use, not abuse, earthly things ( ). Opposed to the anxious life of the covetous ( ).

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

18. Returns to the sentiment (Ec 3:12, 13, 22); translate: "Behold the good which I have seen, and which is becoming" (in a man).

which God giveth—namely, both the good of his labor and his life.

his portion—legitimately. It is God's gift that makes it so when regarded as such. Such a one will use, not abuse, earthly things (1Co 7:31). Opposed to the anxious life of the covetous (Ec 5:10, 17).

19. As Ec 5:18 refers to the "laboring" man (Ec 5:12), so Ec 5:19 to the "rich" man, who gets wealth not by "oppression" (Ec 5:8), but by "God's gift." He is distinguished also from the "rich" man (Ec 6:2) in having received by God's gift not only "wealth," but also "power to eat thereof," which that one has not.

to take his portion—limits him to the lawful use of wealth, not keeping back from God His portion while enjoying his own.