Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®
Soul and Body
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: . . . I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it.
Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes begins with an eight-verse poem (perhaps the best-known section of the book) presenting the idea of specific times for human activity. While the author focuses on the futility of mortal existence throughout his writing, here he exalts God’s creation as beautiful, permanent, and secure.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. . . . For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. . . . Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! . . . He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
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Resources cited in this issue
RR: Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. The New Interpreter’s Bible: One-Volume Commentary. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2010.
Cit. 4: Barker, Kenneth L., John R. Kohlenberger, Verlyn Verbrugge, and Richard Polcyn. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.
Cit. 6: Bruce, F.F. Zondervan Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.
Cit. 15: Mays, James Luther, et al., eds. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Vol. 29, Luke. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1982–.
Cit. 21: Osborne, Grant R., et al., eds. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Vol. 1, Matthew. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Academic, 1990–. Also available at biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries.
Copyright
Scriptural quotations marked New International Reader’s Version™ are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, NIrV™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptural quotations marked Christian Standard Bible® are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked Good News Translation are taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked Common English Bible are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.
Scriptural quotations marked GOD’S WORD® Translation are taken from GOD’S WORD®. © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked Contemporary English Version are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
© 2025 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
