Ecclesiastes 7:20

“For [there is] not a just man upon earth, etc.] Or “although”, or “notwithstanding”f175, wisdom is so beneficial, and guards and strengthens a good man, yet no man has such a share of it as to live without sin; there was not then one on earth, there never had been, one, nor never would be, nor has been, excepting the man Christ Jesus; who indeed, as man, was perfectly just, while here on earth, and went about doing good, and never sinned in all his life; but this cannot be said of any other, no, not of one that is truly and really just; not externally and in his own opinion only, but who is made so by the obedience of Christ, or by his righteousness imputed to him, while he is here on earth;…”

“Referring to Ecc 7:16. Be not "self-righteous," seek not to make thyself "just" before God by a superabundance of self-imposed performances; "for true 'wisdom,' or 'righteousness,' shows that there is not a just man," &c.”

“The connection of this verse with Ecclesiastes 7:18-19 becomes clearer if it is borne in mind that the fear of God, wisdom, and justice, are merely different sides of one and the same character, the formation of which is the aim of all the precepts in this chapter. The words “just” Ecclesiastes 7:15, Ecclesiastes 7:20 and “righteous” Ecclesiastes 7:16 are exactly the same in Hebrew. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Sinneth not - Who is universally and perfectly good. Ecclesiastes 7:21”

“7:20 Not a single person . . . always good and never sins: Cp. 1 Kgs 8:46; Prov 20:9; Rom 3:23.”

“there: Kg1 8:46; Ch2 6:36; Job 15:14-16; Psa 130:3, Psa 143:2; Pro 20:9; Isa 53:6; Rom 3:23; Jam 3:2; Jo1 1:8-10 doeth: Isa 64:6 Ecclesiastes 7:21”

“"For among men there is not a righteous man on the earth, who doeth good, and sinneth not." The original passage, found in Solomon's prayer at the consecration of the temple, is briefer, Kg1 8:46 : "There is no man who sinneth not." Here the words might be וגו צדּיק אדם אין, there is no righteous man ... . Adam stands here as representing the species, as when we say in Germ.: Menschen gibt es keine gerechten auf Erden \[men, there are none righteous on earth\]; cf. Exo 5:16 : "Straw, none was given." The verification of Ecc 7:19 by reference to the fact of the common sinfulness from which even the most righteous cannot free himself, does not contradict all expectation to the same degree as…”