Ecclesiastes 9:18 Commentary and Bible Study

Wisdom is superior to weapons of war as the previous narrative strikingly illustrates. What seemed like a forgone conclusion turned out the very opposite of what every observer would have predicted. Having established its great practical value, he urges us to seek the fountain of all wisdom: Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world; there are far greater deliverances that we need from wisdom than simply relief from the sacking of our city. And yet much wisdom can be destroyed by just a little sin. In saying this, Solomon transitions to the next section in which he will warn of the pitfalls we can fall into, and the mistakes we can make as we seek this wonderful wisdom from God. Although wisdom is so precious and can accomplish such great things, there is a danger that all the good that it might do us is reduced to nothing by a sin. One wise man can do a great deal of good for many others, but one sinner can do even more harm. This is not illustrated in Solomon’s previous example of wisdom, but it is a lesson which he is eager to draw for it leads back to his real subject – how men can escape the vanity of this world and come to God.