Ecclesiastes 6:10

"Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is, for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is."Whatever exists has already been named" -"Whatever hath been, long ago hath its name been given" (P.P. Comm. p. 140). "Whatever is, was long ago given its name" (NAB).

"and it is known what man is" -"and the nature of man is known" (NAB).

Points To Note:

1 The idea appears to be that it is useless to argue against any of the truths which Solomon has noted. For the nature of man doesn't change. Greed couldn't satisfy ancient man, and it can't satisfy modern man. "Man should know who he is and recognize that his ability to speak long and loud will not change his nature" (Kidwell p. 148). 2. "Whatever brave words we may multiply about man, or against His Maker, verses 10 and 11 remind us that we shall not alter the way in which we and our world were made" (Kidner p. 62). 3. But many people refuse to accept what God says about man and man's nature. People seem bent on proving God wrong, they seem determined to prove that material things can bring them lasting happiness, that they can find lasting enjoyment in sin, that they can live selfish lives and be content. And beyond this, that they can supposedly change their gender, defy or completely ignore what God gave them, including their gender, their soul, or their emotional and mental nature (Romans 1:18-32). We live in. society which seems determined to prove God wrong.

"for he cannot" -i.e. man

"dispute with him who is stronger than he is" -the 'him' in this verse appears to be God. Man often will attempt to dispute with God or outright deny His entire existence. But man can't win an argument with God, man can't change the mind of God concerning things which are right and wrong.

Points To Note:

2 Solomon is making the point that it is pointless to argue with the truths being presented. Your arguments can't change reality, you cannot be something other than "man".. person may try to argue that they can be completely happy without God (Ecclesiastes 2:25), or that God has given them nothing or they owe Him nothing (Ecclesiastes 6:2). But such arguments are pointless and false. 2. Be impressed with the patience and mercy of God! Realize the amount of foolish talk that God puts up with on. daily basis! 3. "The idea of disputing with the Almighty (10b,11) fascinated Job, who abandoned it only after much heart-searching (and divine rebuke) (Job 42:1-6)….Yet we still find it easier to enlarge on the way things ought to have been than to face the truth of what they are" (Kidner p. 62).