In Ecclesiastes, chapter twelve, verse thirteen, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” The understanding of this book of Ecclesiastes must be in light of this theme verse. Solomon began with a cynical appraisal of life as vanity, emptiness, and inconsequential, but he ends with serious counsel about where to find purpose. Fear of God, love for Him, His Word, and obedience to His commandments bring purpose and satisfaction that is unavailable in any other way.
The theme under the “The whole duty of man” section literally is translated as “the wholeness of humankind.” And occurs in contrast to the empty meaninglessness of the book of Ecclesiastes, which starts at the beginning. “Meaningless” is a mere breath, empty, and insubstantial, transitory, and is what life is to the person separated from God. The appropriate relation to God and His Word brings wholeness that makes life worthwhile.
The whole duty of man is to serve God. There are only two things God wants His creation to do, as the theme title: Fear God and keep His commandments. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, as in Psalms one hundred and eleven, verse ten. The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life, as in Proverbs fourteen, verse twenty-seven. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, as in Proverbs one, verse seven. The fear of the Lord is hatred toward evil, as in Proverbs eight, verse thirteen.
Fear of God produces wisdom, life, knowledge, and hatred of evil. However, to keep God’s commandments is to obey them. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.