Sep. 2, 2021
Searching For Purpose
In Ecclesiastes, "the Preacher" seeks to find out the meaning of life in a fallen and frustrating world. A common theme throughout the book is "vanity of vanities" or "vapor, vapor," showing the fleeting and elusive nature of life. It is reminiscent of Paul’s warning to the Corinthians, "For the present form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:31)
The Preacher laments that there is nothing new under the sun and everything we experience cannot give us purpose or meaning. He recognizes that it is because God put eternity into our hearts that we cannot be satisfied with what the world offers.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul corrects the Corinthians for their divisions in corporate worship. The Corinthian church had elevated some spiritual gifts above others, causing division in the church. Paul uses the metaphor of a body to show that the purpose of spiritual gifts is to build one another up.