How do we pursue righteousness without becoming self-righteous?
Key Verse:
“Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” —Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB
Background Context:
After teaching that sorrow can produce wisdom and encouraging us to trust God’s sovereignty through every season of life, Solomon now addresses another danger—the tendency toward pride and self-righteousness. He reminds us that while we should pursue righteousness, we must also recognize our own sinful nature and our continual need for God’s grace. Wisdom walks humbly before the Lord, neither trusting in its own goodness nor excusing sinful living.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.
19Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. 21Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 22For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.
Reflection:
One of the more difficult verses in Ecclesiastes is verse 16:
“Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?”
At first glance, it almost sounds as though Solomon is telling us not to pursue righteousness. Yet that cannot be his meaning. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to pursue holiness and obedience.
Instead, Solomon is warning against self-righteousness.
There is a great difference between pursuing God’s righteousness and trusting in our own.
Self-righteousness measures itself against other people.
God’s righteousness measures us against God’s perfect standard.
The Pharisees in Yeshua’s day provide a clear example. They outwardly appeared righteous and carefully observed countless religious traditions, yet Jesus repeatedly rebuked them because their hearts were far from God. They trusted in their own goodness instead of humbly recognizing their need for God’s mercy.
Likewise, Solomon warns against the opposite extreme:
“Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:17)
Wisdom rejects both extremes.
It neither boasts in its own righteousness nor embraces sinful living.
Instead, it walks humbly with God.
The heart of this passage comes in verse 20:
“Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”
This truth echoes throughout Scripture.
Paul writes:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
James likewise reminds us:
“For we all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2)
Recognizing our own weakness should produce humility, not despair.
It reminds us that every one of us depends completely upon God’s grace.
This humility also changes the way we treat others.
Solomon continues by advising us not to take every careless word to heart because we ourselves have spoken hurtful words about others (Ecclesiastes 7:21–22). How easy it is to become offended by someone else’s failures while forgetting our own.
Yeshua taught this same principle when He said:
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)
Humility enables us to extend grace because we remember how much grace God has shown us.
This does not mean we ignore sin or abandon God’s standards.
Rather, we approach both ourselves and others with the understanding that all of us are continually dependent upon God’s mercy.
The prophet Micah beautifully summarizes this balance:
“He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
That is the path of wisdom.
Pursue righteousness.
Reject wickedness.
But never forget that every step you take is possible only because of God’s grace.
As we grow in Christ, we should become increasingly holy—but also increasingly humble.
The closer we draw to God, the more clearly we recognize both His holiness and our need for Him.
Application:
- Pursue God’s righteousness without becoming self-righteous.
- Remember that every believer depends daily upon God’s grace.
- Be quick to extend grace to others, recognizing your own need for mercy.
- Resist both pride and compromise, walking humbly with God instead.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where self-righteousness may have taken root in your heart.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your incredible grace and mercy toward me. Forgive me for the times I have compared myself to others instead of looking to Your perfect standard. Help me to pursue holiness with humility, recognizing my continual need for Your forgiveness and strength. Teach me to extend grace to others just as You have shown grace to me. May my life reflect both a desire to obey You and a humble dependence upon You each day. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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