Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ecclesiastes 7:20
What does Ecclesiastes 7:20 mean?
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Ecclesiastes 7:20
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This verse isn't just saying that people aren't perfect; it's emphasizing that even the person who does good—the one we might think is a model of righteousness—still isn't free from sin. It challenges the idea that consistent good deeds automatically erase any wrongdoings, highlighting the deep-seated imperfection in all human actions.
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Teacher has just affirmed the superiority of wisdom over brute strength and wealth, especially in the face of life's inevitable troubles. He argues that true wisdom, found in fearing God, is a better defense and guide than any material possession. This verse serves as a stark reality check: even the wisest and most outwardly righteous person still succumbs to sin, underscoring the pervasive human condition and the absolute necessity of God's grace.
We often strive to be 'good people.' But what does the Bible say about human perfection, especially in the eyes of God?
Ecclesiastes 7:20 makes a bold, sweeping statement: 'Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.' This isn't just a suggestion; it's presented as a foundational truth.
Universal Flaw
This verse confronts the idea that anyone, no matter how moral or outwardly good they appear, can achieve a state of sinless perfection. Even those who 'do good' are still susceptible to sin. The Hebrew word used here for 'just' or 'righteous' points to someone who is upright and ethical, but even this standard falls short of absolute perfection.
A Divine Standard
The ultimate standard for righteousness belongs to God alone. Human attempts to reach this standard through their own efforts are destined to fall short. This reality underscores our need for something beyond ourselves to bridge the gap between our imperfect nature and God's perfect holiness.
If no one is perfect, how should we live? What does this profound admission of human failing teach us about navigating life?
The truth that no one is without sin isn't meant to lead to despair, but to a deeper understanding of wisdom and humility.
Wisdom's Foundation
Ecclesiastes consistently points to the 'fear of the Lord' as the beginning of wisdom. Recognizing our inherent sinfulness is a crucial part of this wisdom. It helps us understand why we need God's guidance and protection.
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Humility in Action
This verse also implies a call to humility and grace towards others. If we ourselves are not perfect and are prone to sin, we are in no position to harshly judge or condemn others. Instead, it fosters a spirit of forgiveness and understanding, mirroring the mercy we ourselves desperately need.
Dependence on God
Ultimately, the acknowledgment of our sinfulness highlights our constant need to depend on God's grace and mercy. It redirects us from self-reliance to reliance on the One who offers forgiveness and a righteousness we cannot achieve on our own.
Understand the original words
chata · Hebrew Verb
The act of missing the mark or failing to meet the standard of God's holiness; it encompasses both actions of disobedience and a fallen human nature.
This passage directly echoes Ecclesiastes 7:20 by stating that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' reinforcing the universal human experience of sinfulness.
1 John 1:8This verse directly addresses the idea of perfect righteousness on earth, warning that 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,' underscoring the impossibility of sinless living for humans.
James 3:2James points out the inherent imperfection in human speech, saying 'we all stumble in many ways,' which supports the Qoheleth's assertion that even those who do good are not entirely without sin.
Genesis 18:26In the story of Sodom, God's response to Abraham highlights the scarcity of righteous individuals, indicating that 'if I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city I will forgive all the land for their sake,' and later even ten would have sufficed, implying that a perfectly righteous person was not to be found.
Romans 5:12This verse explains the origin of universal sinfulness, linking it to Adam's transgression and stating that 'sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned,' providing a theological basis for the statement in Ecclesiastes.
pooleEcclesiastes 7:20: "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
For; so this is a reason either, 1. Of the foregoing counsels, Ecclesiastes 7:10-18 , the 19th verse being interposed only as a proof of the last clause of Ecclesiastes 7:18 . Or, 2. To show the necessity and advantage of that wisdom commended Ecclesiastes 7:19 , because all men are very prone to folly and sin, and therefore need that wisdom which is from above to direct and keep them from it. But thi…
clarkeEcclesiastes 7:20: "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not - לא יחטא lo yechta, that may not sin. There is not a man upon earth, however just he may be, and habituated to do good, but is peccable - liable to commit sin; and therefore should continually watch and pray, and depend upon the Lord. But the text does not say, the just man does commit sin, but simply that he may sin; and so our tr…
This verse isn't just saying that people aren't perfect; it's emphasizing that even the person who does good—the one we might think is a model of righteousness—still isn't free from sin. It challenges the idea that consistent good deeds automatically erase any wrongdoings, highlighting the deep-seated imperfection in all human actions.
The Teacher has just affirmed the superiority of wisdom over brute strength and wealth, especially in the face of life's inevitable troubles. He argues that true wisdom, found in fearing God, is a better defense and guide than any material possession. This verse serves as a stark reality check: even the wisest and most outwardly righteous person still succumbs to sin, underscoring the pervasive human condition and the absolute necessity of God's grace.
The Teacher has just affirmed the superiority of wisdom over brute strength and wealth, especially in the face of life's inevitable troubles. He argues that true wisdom, found in fearing God, is a better defense and guide than any material possession. This verse serves as a stark reality check: even the wisest and most outwardly righteous person still succumbs to sin, underscoring the pervasive human condition and the absolute necessity of God's grace.
"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." — This verse isn't just saying that people aren't perfect; it's emphasizing that even the person who does good—the one we might think is a model of righteousness—still isn't free from sin. It challen…
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Last reviewed October 2026