Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Cross-reference
In Ecclesiastes 7:18, the one who fears God comes through both extremes, directly reinforcing the fear of God as central to duty.
Ecclesiastes 2:3 describes the king's search for pleasure — contrasting with this conclusion that fearing God is the whole purpose.
Ecclesiastes 5:7 similarly concludes with fearing God after noting the vanity of many words, reinforcing the final duty.
Ecclesiastes 6:12 laments life's vanity and uncertainty — the very predicament that this conclusion resolves by fearing God.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 affirms that fearing God leads to better outcomes, supporting the command to fear and obey here.
Psalm 111:10 declares fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, supporting this as the whole duty of man.
Proverbs 19:23 shows the reward of fearing God: life, satisfaction, and protection — adding benefit to Ecclesiastes' call to fear God.
Proverbs 1:7 declares fear of the Lord the beginning of knowledge — the same foundational principle stated here as man's all.
Psalm 112:1 blesses those who fear the Lord and delight in his commands, directly reinforcing the conclusion's call.
Luke 1:50 echoes that God's mercy extends to those who fear Him across generations, reinforcing the enduring value of fearing God.
Job 28:28 states that fear of the Lord is wisdom and departing from evil is understanding — directly aligning with this verse's summation.
Deuteronomy 10:12 summarizes the whole duty as fearing God and obeying him, exactly echoing the conclusion here.
Deuteronomy 6:2 ties fearing God to keeping commands for long life, directly mirroring the conclusion's call.
1 Peter 2:17 gives the same command 'Fear God' in a list of ethical duties, reinforcing this concluding imperative.
Genesis 22:12 demonstrates fearing God through obedient action, illustrating the 'keep his commandments' commanded here.
In Acts 10:35, fearing God and doing right makes one acceptable — directly echoing the fear-and-obedience summary.
Exodus 1:17 provides a concrete example: the midwives feared God rather than the king, showing that fearing God means obeying Him above human authority.
In Micah 6:8, what God requires — justice, kindness, humility — parallels the whole duty of man, but with different specifics.
In Colossians 3:22, bondservants are to fear the Lord while obeying — a direct application of fearing God and keeping commandments.
In Isaiah 50:10, fearing the LORD and obeying His servant is paired with trusting in darkness — expanding on the obedience of faith.
In Revelation 11:18, those who fear God's name are rewarded at judgment — echoing the fear of God and judgment here.
Revelation 14:7 directly calls to 'fear God' because judgment has come — a strong parallel to the call here.
Proverbs 14:2 ties uprightness to fearing the Lord, matching the connection between fear and obedience here.
Proverbs 9:10 says fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, aligning with the claim that it is the whole duty.
Proverbs 3:7 directly commands fearing the Lord and turning from evil, echoing the call to keep His commandments.
Psalm 36:1 describes the wicked who lack fear of God, contrasting with the call to fear Him here.
Psalm 25:12 promises that the one who fears the LORD will be instructed in the way to choose — adding guidance as a benefit of fearing God.
Nehemiah 5:15 shows Nehemiah refusing to exploit others because of the fear of God — a practical outworking of the fear of God Ecclesiastes commands.
Deuteronomy 4:10 links hearing God's words directly to learning to fear Him, making the same connection Ecclesiastes makes at its conclusion.
Deuteronomy 4:2 commands not to add or subtract from God's words — a specific application of keeping the commandments Ecclesiastes enjoins.
Proverbs 31:30 contrasts fleeting charm with praising those who fear the Lord, echoing the vanity theme here.
Proverbs 19:16 promises life to those who keep the commandment, supporting the value of obeying God.
Psalm 115:13 promises blessing to those who fear the LORD, both small and great — a reward for obeying this command.
In Haggai 1:12, the people's fear of the LORD and obedience to His word exemplifies the command to fear God and keep commandments.
Exodus 18:21 includes fearing God as a qualification for leaders — expanding on the practical life implications of fearing God.
Proverbs 23:17 exhorts to be zealous for the fear of the LORD all day, echoing this call to constant reverence.