Ecclesiastes 1:1

If this book is inspired, why isn’t it quoted in the NT?

PROBLEM: The NT writers quote the vast majority of the OT from Genesis to Malachi. There are literally hundreds of citations from every major section of the OT. Yet, the Book of Ecclesiastes is not quoted once. If it was inspired, then why isn’t it cited at least one time?

SOLUTION: There are several OT books that are not directly quoted in the NT, including Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Esther, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. However, all these books were considered inspired by both Judaism and Christianity. Several points should be kept in mind.

What we sow we reap Ecclesiastes 11:1, cf. Galatians 6:7

Avoid lust of youth Ecclesiastes 11:10, cf. 2 Timothy 2:22

Death is divinely appointed Ecclesiastes 3:2, cf. Hebrews 9:2

Love of money is evil Ecclesiastes 5:10, cf. 1 Timothy 6:10

Don’t be wordy in prayer Ecclesiastes 5:2, cf. Matthew 6:7

Third, the NT writers had no occasion to quote from every book in the OT. Few Christians have quoted recently from 1 Kings, yet the NT did (Romans 11:4). Indeed, few believers ever cite 2 or 3 John, and yet they are part of the inspired Word of God. Whether, or even how often, a book is quoted does not determine whether it is inspired.

OBADIAH — If the Book of Obadiah is inspired Scripture, then why is it not quoted in the NT?

(For a discussion of this question, see Ecclesiastes 1:1.)