Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:5
Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow ] The point which the Teacher seeks to press is obviously the optional character of vows. They form no part of the essentials of religion, they are to be deprecated rather than otherwise; but to make them, and then delay or evade their fulfilment, is to tamper with veracity and play fast and loose with conscience, and so is fatally injurious. The casuistry condemned by our Lord (Mat 5:33; Mat 23:16-22) shews how fertile was the ingenuity of Scribes in devising expedients of this nature.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, c.] We are under constant obligations to live to God no vow can make it more so. Yet, there may be cases in which we should bind ourselves to take up some particular cross, to perform some particular duty, to forego some particular attachment that does not tend to bring our souls nearer to God. Then, if fully determined, and strong in faith relative to the point, bind and hold fast; but if not fully, rationally, and conscientiously determined, “do not suffer thy mouth to cause thy soul to sin.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That thou shouldest not vow; for this was no sin, because men are free to make such vows, or not to make them, as they think fit. See Num 30:3, &c.; Deu 23:22; Act 5:4. But having vowed we cannot forbear payment of them without sin.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. (Deu 23:21;Deu 23:23).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow,…. For a vow is an arbitrary thing; a man is not bound to make it, and while he vows not, it is in his own power, and at his option, whether he will do this or that, or not; but when he has once vowed, he is then brought under an obligation, and must perform; see Ac 5:4; and therefore it is better not to vow; it is more acceptable to God, and, it is better for a man;
than that thou shouldest vow and not pay; for this shows great weakness and folly, levity and inconstancy, and is resented by the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5. Better not vow, than vow and not pay Vows once made are as binding as oaths. Many Jews, among other vows, consecrated their hair, leaving it unshorn while some vow was accomplished. From this they were called Nazarites. See Act 18:18; Act 21:24. How fearful a thing it is to vow and not to pay, is shown in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ecc 5:5 Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Ver. 5. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, ] q.d., Who bade thee be so forward? Why wouldst thou become a voluntary votary, and so rashly engage to the loss of thy liberty and the offence of thy God, who expected thou shouldst have kept touch, and not have dealt thus slipperily with him? a “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Act 5:4 “As the truth of Christ is in me,” saith Paul; 2Co 11:10 so he binds himself by an oath, as the learned have observed. And “as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay; for the Son of God who was preached among you by me was not yea and nay; but in him all the promises of God are yea and amen.” 2Co 1:19-20 Why, what of that? some might say; and what is all this to the purpose? Very much, for it implieth that what a Christian doth promise to men (how much more to God?) he is bound by the earnest penny of God’s Spirit to perform. He dares no more alter or falsify his word than the Spirit of God can lie. And as he looks that God’s promises should be made good to him, so is he careful to pay what he hath vowed to God, since his is a covenant of mercy, ours of obedience; and if he shall be all-sufficient to us, we must be altogether his. Son 2:16
a Dicta factis deficientibus crubescunt.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Better. See note on Ecc 2:24.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Deu 23:22, Pro 20:25, Act 5:4
Reciprocal: Gen 35:7 – built Lev 22:21 – to accomplish Lev 27:2 – a singular vow Num 30:2 – he shall do Deu 23:21 – General Deu 23:23 – That which Jdg 11:30 – General Neh 5:13 – the people Psa 22:25 – I will Psa 50:14 – pay Psa 116:18 – General Psa 119:106 – sworn Jon 2:9 – I will pay Mal 1:14 – which hath in his flock Mar 12:17 – and to