Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025)
Article: What Is The Main Point Of Ecclesiastes?
Author: Brad Doskocil

JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025) p. 57

What Is The Main Point Of Ecclesiastes?1

Brad Doskocil

Long Beach, CA

I. Introduction

Ecclesiastes is an unusual book. There are many views regarding its central point. Many view the book as a cynical look at life. A common word in the book is the Hebrew “ebel.” It is often translated as “vanity” and is seen as a summary of the book’s main topic.

A popular Catholic commentary reflects this view of Ecclesiastes. It maintains that the phrase “vanity of vanities” sums up the theme of the book, even if it does not describe the “variety of tests that the author applies to life.”2

In this article, I will challenge this standard view.

II. Is Life Meaningless?

Protestant theologians often concur with the Catholic view just stated. They are confident that Ecclesiastes teaches that our worldly lives are meaningless. Glenn, for example, says that there is “little doubt about the theme of Ecclesiastes,” and that the stated theme bookends Ecclesiastes since the author announces it at the beginning and end of the book (1:2; 12:8). He repeats his main idea throughout the book (1:14; 2:11, 17, 26, etc.). Glenn also points out that the author is called the “Teacher.” The author declares everything in this life to be “meaningless,” NIV’s translation of the Hebrew word hebel, or “vanity,” the translation used in KJV, RSV, and NASB.3

Wiersbe agrees, but rewords the theme in the form of a question. He says that the author, Solomon, states his theme in 1:1–3, a summary of which asks the question: “Is life really worth living?” The author

JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025) p. 58

looks at this life, which is full of mysteries and contradictions, and wonders whether the “endless toil” of existence is worth it. People toil all their lives, then die. After they die, somebody less worthy inherits their wealth, then wastes it. Solomon concludes that the best thing to do is to enjoy God’s blessings today, fear Him, and keep His Word. Wiersbe adds that the NT helps make sense of Solomon’s conclusions. Paul says that “our labor is not in vain in the Lord” (You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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