Ecclesiastes 7:20 - Exposition

The wisdom above signified is, indeed, absolutely necessary, if one would escape the consequences of that frailty of nature which leads to transgression. Wisdom shows the sinner a way out of the evil course in which he is walking, and puts him back in that fear of God which is his only safety. For there is not a just man upon earth. The verse confirms Ecclesiastes 7:19 . Even the just man sinneth, and therefore needs wisdom. That doeth good, and sinneth not. This reminds us of the words in Solomon's prayer ( 1 Kings 8:46 ; Proverbs 20:9 ). So St. James ( James 3:2 ) says, "In many things we all offend;" and St. John, "It' we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" ( 1 John 1:8 ). A Greek gnome runs— ἁμαρτάνει τι καὶ σοφοῦ σοφώτερος . "Erreth at times the very wisest man."