Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

¹⁶ Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there.

¹⁷ I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

God will judge. Some will petition the Preacher and question why God has delayed the time of judgement. Such questions only serve to point out man’s wretched unwillingness to abide under the conviction of Ecclesiastes 3:11. — KJV Commentary, page 740.

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A difficulty is presented in verse 16, but answered in verse 17. The difficultly is: If God governs human affairs, why is injustice found where justice should be enthroned? The answer is, that God permits this folly on the part of man in order to humble him; and that He will in a future life judge him for his wrong doing. The word “there” (v.17) means in the world beyond the grave; that is, in the great day of future judgment. — Williams, page 441.

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The prophetic books are replete with warnings of consequences to Israel for failing to execute proper justice. The Psalms also lament the lack of justice against the wicked (Psalm 73:3-17). When considered “under the sun,” these things are depressing. But the antidote to despair is knowing that in His time God will righteously execute judgment on the world (2 Corinthians 11:15; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-13) — Grace, page 1171.

time (v.17) — a set time.