Meaning, commentary and cross references
Ecclesiastes 7:20
“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
NIV · New International Version
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
WEB · World English Bible
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.
What does Ecclesiastes 7:20 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Ecclesiastes 7:20
For there is not a just man upon earth,.... Or "although", or "notwithstanding" (d), 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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Ecclesiastes 7:11–22
They consider that those they have dealings and conversation with are not incarnate angels, but sinful sons and daughters of Adam: even the best are so, insomuch that there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not, Ecc 7:20. Solomon had this in his prayer (Kg1 8:46), in his proverbs (Pro 20:9), and here in his preaching. Note, [1.] It is the character of just men that they do good; for the tree is known by its fruits. [2.]
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Ecclesiastes 7:17–23 (WEB)
17Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all. 19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin. 21Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; 22for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others. 23All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.
Cross references
- Romans 3:23
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
- Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- 1 John 1:8–10
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
- Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
- 1 Kings 8:46
If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near;
- Job 15:14–16
What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
- Isaiah 64:6
For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q88. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily breaks them in thought, word, and deed.