Ecclesiastes 9:5 and Ephesians 3:10
💟 Ecclesiastes 9:5 — Interpretation in the Church of Christ and Conservative Biblical Teaching
“After looking at Coffman’s Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9 he points out interesting points … you plainly state the dead don’t know what happens on Earth. … This text is talking about dead as it relates to earthly affairs.”
— La Vista Church of Christ, “Does Ecclesiastes contain statements that don’t make sense to Christians?”
Source: La Vista Church of Christ
URL: https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/does-ecclesiastes-contain-statements-that-dont-make-sense-to-christians/
In this article, the church cites Coffman’s commentary, explaining that “the dead know not anything” refers to the fact that the dead no longer know or participate in what happens on Earth. It is a statement concerning earthly affairs, not a denial of spiritual awareness in the afterlife.
“Whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”
— West Palm Beach Church of Christ, “Ecclesiastes 9 — Have a Blast While You Last”
Source: West Palm Beach Church of Christ
URL: https://westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/old-testament/ecclesiastes/have-a-blast-while-you-last.html
Here, the teacher accepts the phrase “no work or wisdom in Sheol” as a literal expression of the text’s reality. It emphasizes the contrast between earthly life and post-death existence, urging believers to live faithfully and wisely while opportunity remains.
“Cut off from life, they know nothing of what passes under the sun. Their day of probation is ended, and therefore they can have no farther reward in this life.”
— StudyLight Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:5
Source: StudyLight Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
URL: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ecclesiastes/9-5.html
This view aligns with the Church of Christ’s “earthly affairs” perspective: the verse speaks of life under the sun—the sphere of human existence—not of the soul’s consciousness beyond death.
💟 Ephesians 3:10 — The Heavenly Witness and the Display of God’s Wisdom
“The church is the theater where angels watch what God is doing through the transformation of its people.… They see the ‘manifold wisdom of God.’”
— VerseByVerseCommentary, “Ephesians 3:10 Commentary”
Source: VerseByVerseCommentary
URL: https://versebyversecommentary.com/2015/08/12/ephesians-310/
“God shows his manifold wisdom in the church through the way he solved the problem of sin.… Through the church, the principalities and powers see the multi-faceted wisdom of God.”
— Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Wisdom of God: A Sermon on Ephesians 3:10”
Source: MLJ Trust Sermons
URL: https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-ephesians/the-wisdom-of-god/
“The purpose is that all the angelic powers should now see the complex wisdom of God’s plan being worked out through the Church.”
— Precept Austin, “Ephesians 3:10 Commentary”
Source: Precept Austin
URL: https://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_310
“God’s wisdom is becoming known even among angels of the spiritual realm as a result of what is taking place through the church.… Paul appears to be speaking of angels.”
— BibleRef, “What does Ephesians 3:10 mean?”
Source: BibleRef.com
URL: https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/3/Ephesians-3-10.html
🕊 Summary and Theological Observation
Different Perspectives
Ecclesiastes 9:5 describes the earthly limitation of the dead — they no longer perceive or participate in what happens “under the sun.”
Ephesians 3:10, on the other hand, unveils the heavenly dimension — where angels (“rulers and authorities in heavenly places”) observe God’s manifold wisdom displayed through the church.“Principalities and Powers”
In conservative interpretation, these terms refer to spiritual beings — angelic or celestial powers — not to human souls or the departed dead.The Manifold Wisdom of God
The church becomes a living testimony of God’s multi-layered wisdom: redemption, reconciliation, and unity in Christ. Through the church, heavenly beings behold and learn of God’s eternal purpose.
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