Ecclesiastes 1:3
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 3:9
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

Ecclesiastes 5:10,11,17
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity…

and of the

Ecclesiastes 4:6,8
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit…

Psalm 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Matthew 6:11,25,34
Give us this day our daily bread…

for all the toil and striving
The terms "toil" and "striving" emphasize the intense effort and struggle involved in human labor. In the ancient Near Eastern context, work was often physically demanding and relentless, with agriculture being a primary occupation. This phrase captures the exhaustive nature of work, which is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes. It also connects to the curse of labor in Genesis 3:17-19, where toil is a consequence of the Fall, highlighting the burdensome aspect of work in a fallen world.

with which he labors
This part of the verse focuses on the personal investment and energy a person puts into their work. It underscores the individual responsibility and effort required in daily tasks. The Hebrew culture placed a high value on diligence and hard work, as seen in Proverbs 6:6-11, which praises the industriousness of the ant. However, Ecclesiastes questions the ultimate benefit of such labor, prompting reflection on the purpose and fulfillment derived from work.

under the sun?
The phrase "under the sun" is a key motif in Ecclesiastes, used to describe the earthly, temporal realm of human existence. It signifies the limitations and transience of life on earth, contrasting with the eternal perspective of God. This phrase invites readers to consider the futility of earthly pursuits when viewed solely from a human perspective. It aligns with the broader biblical narrative that encourages believers to seek eternal treasures, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, rather than focusing solely on worldly achievements.

– Solomon poses a searching question, inviting us to pause and evaluate the outcome of our efforts.

– Cross references point to the same reflective tone:

• Psalm 39:5, “Indeed, every man at his best exists as but a breath.”

• Matthew 16:26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

– The implied answer is “nothing lasting,” setting the stage for the verse’s sober conclusion.

– The words highlight restless labor—work driven by ambition, worry, or the need to prove oneself.

– Scripture repeatedly warns that such toil, apart from God, cannot satisfy:

• Genesis 3:17-19 traces sweaty labor back to the Fall.

• Psalm 127:2 notes, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat.”

– The phrase also acknowledges legitimate hard work (Proverbs 14:23) while exposing its limits when pursued as life’s chief end.

– This clause personalizes the struggle: the man is not abstract; he feels the strain in mind and body.

– Ecclesiastes has already recounted personal experiments in pleasure, projects, and possessions (2:1-11), showing how even spectacular accomplishments leave the heart empty.

– Cross references emphasize the same theme:

• Job 7:1-2 pictures life as “hard service.”

• Colossians 3:23 reminds believers to shift focus: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

– Key phrase in Ecclesiastes, signaling an earth-bound viewpoint that leaves eternity out.

– Apart from God’s bigger story, all achievements are trapped in a closed system of decay and death (Romans 8:20-21).

– By contrast, placing labor “before the Lord” transforms it (1 Corinthians 15:58: “your labor in the Lord is not in vain”).

Ecclesiastes 2:22 confronts every worker with the futility of self-centered effort. When life is measured only “under the sun,” the net gain of toil is zero—fleeting satisfaction at best. Scripture urges us to re-orient our labor toward God’s eternal purposes, trusting that work done in Him carries significance both now and forever.