Wrong Verses Right: Ecclesiastes 7:16 KJV

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? ~Ecclesiastes 7:16 KJV

Wrong Interpretation:

Certain Christians use this scripture to justify that too much righteousness leads to self-righteousness. They also use this scripture to justify that we should not be perfected in our righteousness because it is not necessary to destroy ourselves. This is because this wisdom came from Solomon who was given the greatest wisdom by God.

Right Interpretation:

When Jesus came He said this:

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. ~Matthew 12:42 KJV

Jesus is greater than Solomon. Even with all of Solomon’s wisdom, he was not God so his wisdom had a deficit. The whole point of Solomon’s wisdom is to show us that man— without God inside of him— still lacks wisdom because they need God. Jesus brought that greater wisdom through a spiritual rebirth.

Therefore, when Solomon says, “Be not righteous over much. Why should you destroy yourself?” — Jesus’ answer to that was to be fully righteous and to give His whole life as a sacrifice so others could live.

Be like Jesus.