Ecclesiastes 3 in the early church

137 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ecclesiastes 3, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:1–8On Pascha 38 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisecho, low confidenceca. 160-180
Eccl 3:1Acts of Thomas 66 · Anonymousecho, low confidenceca. 200–250
Eccl 3:1Against Marcion 5.4 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Eccl 3:1On the Veiling of Virgins 1 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 208–213
Eccl 3:1On Monogamy 3 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 210–217
Eccl 3:1Fragments on Job, column 93 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Eccl 3:1Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:1Commentary on Matthew 10.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Eccl 3:1Homilies 2.3 · Anonymousecho, low confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Eccl 3:1Recognitions 2.21 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Eccl 3:1Oration 2.41 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:1Oration 6.1 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:1Oration 21.20 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:1Homilies 13.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Eccl 3:1–4Homily 6 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 379–394
Eccl 3:1Theological Oration 1 (Or. 27), Against the Eunomians 4 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidence380
Eccl 3:1Exposition of Psalm 118 19.17.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:1–2Hexameron (Exameron) 5.30 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Eccl 3:1Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.72.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Eccl 3:1–2Against Jovinianus 1.29 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Eccl 3:1Letters 13.10 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:1Letters 35.1 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:1Letters 40.1 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:11 Corinthians 7:31 · Pelagiusquotation, high confidenceca. 405–410
Eccl 3:1–8Homilies on the First Epistle of John 8.3 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidenceca. 407
Eccl 3:1–3Apologetic Book 28.3 · Orosiusquotation, high confidenceca. 415–416
Eccl 3:1The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:2

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:2Against Marcion 1.29 · Tertullianecho, medium confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Eccl 3:2Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:2Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 78 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Eccl 3:2Catechetical Lecture 20.4 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Eccl 3:2Defence of His Flight 13 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 357
Eccl 3:2Oration 40.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:2Homilies 13.1 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Eccl 3:2On Tobit 43 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Eccl 3:2The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:3

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:3Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:3–11Fragment E III (on Ecclesiastes) · Dionysius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 248–265
Eccl 3:3On Tobit 43 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Eccl 3:3Letters 40.5 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:3The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:4

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:4Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:4Letter 2.5 · Antony the Greatallusion, medium confidencebefore 356
Eccl 3:4Letter 36.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Eccl 3:4Letters 13.10 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:4Letters 35.1 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:4Letters 40.5 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:41 Corinthians 7:31 · Pelagiusquotation, high confidenceca. 405–410
Eccl 3:4The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:5

a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:5Fragments on Genesis, column 127 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Eccl 3:5Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:5Commentary on Matthew 10.10 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 246–248
Eccl 3:5Oration 40.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:5Homilies 12.14 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Eccl 3:5Letter 22.19 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Eccl 3:5Letter 107.13 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Eccl 3:5Letter 123.12 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Eccl 3:5–7Homily 7 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 379–394
Eccl 3:5Against Jovinianus 1.29 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Eccl 3:5Poem 27, lines 607–647 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431
Eccl 3:5On Christian Doctrine 3.18 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceBooks 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427
Eccl 3:5On the Good of Marriage 15 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence401
Eccl 3:5Literal Commentary on Genesis 9.7 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidenceca. 401–415
Eccl 3:5On the Good of Widowhood 11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 414
Eccl 3:5On Adulterous Marriages 2.12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 419–421
Eccl 3:5On Marriage and Concupiscence 1.14 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 419–421
Eccl 3:5On Marriage and Concupiscence 1.18 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 419–421
Eccl 3:5The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Eccl 3:5Part 1, chapter 25 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Ecclesiastes 3:6

a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:6Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:6On Tobit 43 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Eccl 3:6The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:7

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:7Sentences of Sextus 160 · Anonymousecho, low confidence2nd-early 3rd cent.
Eccl 3:7Letters to Virgins 1.11.5 · Anonymousallusion, low confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:7Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Eccl 3:7Fragments on Job, column 93 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Eccl 3:7Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:7Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Eccl 3:7Commentary on Romans 7.5 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Eccl 3:7Against Constantius 1 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–361
Eccl 3:7Oration 6.1 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:7Oration 12.1 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:7Letter 148.1 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Eccl 3:7On the Holy Spirit 29.75 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 374–375
Eccl 3:7Life of Paul the Hermit 13 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 375–379
Eccl 3:7On the Duties of the Clergy 1.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Eccl 3:7Exposition of Psalm 118 2.26.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:7Exposition of Psalm 118 16.20.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:7Exposition of Psalm 118 16.36.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:7Letter 172.1 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Eccl 3:7Letter 216.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Eccl 3:7Hexameron (Exameron) 5.90 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-390
Eccl 3:7Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.5.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Eccl 3:7Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.72.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Eccl 3:7Sermon 357.4 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 391-430
Eccl 3:7Letters 13.1 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:7Letters 40.1 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:7Letters 40.2 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Eccl 3:7The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:8

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:8Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:8On the Singleness of Clerics 13 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Eccl 3:8Oration 22.15 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:8Oration 40.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 3:8–13Homily 8 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 379–394
Eccl 3:8Exposition of Psalm 118 15.17.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:8Exposition of Psalm 118 15.20.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:8Against Jovinianus 1.29 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Eccl 3:8The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What does the worker gain from his toil?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:9Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 3:10

I have seen the burden that God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:10Against Jovinianus 1.13 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidence393

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:11Letters to Serapion 1.15 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357–360
Eccl 3:11Exposition of Psalm 118 16.38.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Eccl 3:11The Conferences 23.3 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:12

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:12Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 3:13

and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:13Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 3:14

I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:14Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:14The Conferences 8.24 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:15

What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:15Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:15–16On Saint Athanasius 1.35 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Eccl 3:15Letter 133.2 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Eccl 3:15Sermon 70 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450

Ecclesiastes 3:16

Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:16Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:16–17Apologetic Book 28.4 · Orosiusquotation, high confidenceca. 415–416

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:17The Conferences 21.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 3:18

I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:18Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:19Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:19Letter 108.27 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Ecclesiastes 3:20

All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:20Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:21Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 3:21On the Workmanship of God 8.2 · Lactantiusecho, low confidenceca. 303–305
Eccl 3:21On the Holy Spirit 54 · Didymus the Blindquotation, high confidenceGreek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391
Eccl 3:21Letter 238.15 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Eccl 3:21On the Trinity 14.16 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–419
Eccl 3:21Literal Commentary on Genesis 12.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 401–415
Eccl 3:21City of God 13.24 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Eccl 3:21On the Soul and Its Origin 4.37 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 419–420

Ecclesiastes 3:22

I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 3:22Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 3 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century