Ecclesiastes 9:18

“Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war, etc.] And does what they cannot do; of which the wisdom of the poor wise man is a full proof, which delivered the city from a potent prince, when weapons of war could not: (see <210710>Ecclesiastes 7:10); but one sinner destroyeth much good: his own soul by his sins, and the souls of others by his counsels, example, and conversation, which corrupt good manners; so does one sinner in a family, neighbourhood, and town; as one poor wise man does much good, one sinner mars much; one Achan in a camp or army, one bad counsel for in a cabinet, one false teacher in the church, will do a great deal of mischief, as well as one debauchee in a town or city. The…”

“one sinner, &c.-- (Jos 7:1, Jos 7:11-12). Though wisdom excels folly (Ecc 9:16; Ecc 7:19), yet a "little folly (equivalent to sin) can destroy much good," both in himself (Ecc 10:1; Jam 2:10) and in others. "Wisdom" must, from the antithesis to "sinner," mean religion. Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church (Luk 12:32; Heb 12:22); the great king to Satan (Joh 12:31); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ (Isa 53:2-3; Mar 6:3; Co2 8:9; Eph 1:7-8; Col 2:3). Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 10”

“Sinner - The word in the original indicates intellectual as well as moral error. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ecclesiastes-9.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“9:18–10:1 one sinner can destroy . . . a little foolishness spoils: Sin and foolishness can undo a lot of good in a very short time.”

“better: Ecc 9:16 sinner: Jos 7:1, Jos 7:5, Jos 7:11, Jos 7:12, Jos 22:20; Sa1 14:28, Sa1 14:29, Sa1 14:36-46; Sa2 20:1, Sa2 20:2; Th2 2:8-12; Ti2 2:16-18, Ti2 3:8, Ti2 4:3, Ti2 4:4; Tit 1:10, Tit 1:11; Heb 12:15, Heb 12:16 Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 10”

“The following proverb also leans on the history above narrated: "Better is wisdom than weapons of war; and one sinner destroyeth much good." The above history has shown by way of example that wisdom accomplishes more than implements of war, כּלי ק = כּלי מל (Assyr. unut tahazi) (Note: Vid., Fried. Delitzsch's Assyr. Stud. p. 129.) i.e., than all the apparatus belonging to preparation for war. But the much good which a wise man is accomplishing or has accomplished, one sinner (חוטא) (Note: The Syr. (not the Targ.) had חטא before it, and thus realized it, which appears to correspond better with the parall. חכמה.) by treachery or calumny may render vain, or may even destroy, through mere…”