Ecclesiastes 7:20
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just saying people sin; it's highlighting that even the person doing good isn't perfect and still sinless. It underscores a fundamental truth about our fallen nature: no one on earth, however outwardly righteous or actively doing good, can achieve a state of sinlessness. This reality points to our deep need for something beyond our own efforts.
The Preacher has been contrasting the benefits of wisdom with the advantages of wealth, ultimately arguing for the superiority of wisdom. He's explored how wisdom offers protection and insight, but even the wisest can struggle with life's complexities. This verse serves as a stark, foundational truth, emphasizing that no human, however righteous, lives a life completely free from sin.
We all strive to be good people, but what does the Bible say about our actual performance? This verse offers a stark, honest assessment.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 is a bold declaration about the human condition. It states plainly: 'Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.' This isn't just a suggestion; it's a foundational truth about humanity.
The Scope of the Statement
This verse cuts through any self-righteousness. It reminds us that our best efforts, while valuable, fall short of God's perfect standard. This isn't to discourage us from doing good, but to humble us and point us towards a deeper need.
If everyone sins, why is this truth so important? It's not just a negative diagnosis; it serves vital purposes.
The writer of Ecclesiastes isn't just pointing out a universal failing for the sake of it. Understanding that no one is perfectly righteous has crucial implications:
Why This Truth Matters
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 New Testament passage echoes Ecclesiastes by stating that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' reinforcing the universal human condition of sinfulness.
1 John 1:8John directly addresses the same truth, warning that claiming to be without sin is self-deception, aligning with the Preacher's assertion that no perfectly righteous person exists on earth.
James 3:2James highlights the pervasive nature of human imperfection by noting that 'we all stumble in many ways,' which supports the idea that even those who strive to do good are not free from sin.
Genesis 18:26The story of Abraham pleading for Sodom illustrates the rarity of even ten righteous people, suggesting a scarcity of those who are entirely free from sin and capable of preserving a city.
Proverbs 20:9This proverb directly asks, 'Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure from my sin”?' pointing to the impossibility of human self-purification and freedom from sin.
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 people sin; it's highlighting that even the person doing good isn't perfect and still sinless. It underscores a fundamental truth about our fallen nature: no one on earth, however outwardly righteous or actively doing good, can achieve a state of sinlessness. This reality points to our deep need for something beyond our own efforts.
The Preacher has been contrasting the benefits of wisdom with the advantages of wealth, ultimately arguing for the superiority of wisdom. He's explored how wisdom offers protection and insight, but even the wisest can struggle with life's complexities. This verse serves as a stark, foundational truth, emphasizing that no human, however righteous, lives a life completely free from sin.
The Preacher has been contrasting the benefits of wisdom with the advantages of wealth, ultimately arguing for the superiority of wisdom. He's explored how wisdom offers protection and insight, but even the wisest can struggle with life's complexities. This verse serves as a stark, foundational truth, emphasizing that no human, however righteous, lives a life completely free from sin.
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"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." — This verse isn't just saying people sin; it's highlighting that even the person doing good isn't perfect and still sinless. It underscores a fundamental truth about our fallen nature: no one on ear…
