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Ecclesiastes 7:16

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ecclesiastes 7:16

Verse 16 of 29

Scripture focus

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Ecclesiastes 7:16 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:16

Theological / Devotional

Righteous over much. A rebuke to legalism with its reliance on outward forms and expressions. True religion is a personal relation to the holy God (Lev. 19:2; Eph. 3:14), and the Saviour Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:17-19).

Over wise. Solomon has spoken of the value of wisdom; now he warns against an attitude that might bring one to question God’s leadings. The apostle Paul gives the same injunction (Rom. 9:20-23).

Destroy. The Hebrew form of the verb is reflexive, thereby emphasizing the fact that conduct decides destiny. The Pharisee in the parable is an example of one who, in self-righteousness and human wisdom, destroys himself (Luke 18:9-14).

By SdaBc