What does "not be overrighteous or overwise" mean?

Context in Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 7:16 reads, “Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?” This verse sits in the broader context of the Teacher’s (often understood to be Solomon’s) exploration of life’s vanities and the proper way to live in a world that is both created by God and subject to human fallenness. The Teacher frequently addresses extremes and cautions against folly on one side and self-made illusions of perfection on the other.

Ecclesiastes is a work that grapples with the realities faced under the sun—puzzling observations of the righteous suffering, the wicked prospering, and all tending toward an inevitable end. Within this exploration, the Teacher intersperses instructions on balanced living, reliance on God, and the dangers of human presumption. Verse 16 is one such instruction, cautioning us that overreliance on our own perceived righteousness or wisdom can lead us into pride, self-deception, and eventual harm.

Meaning of "Overrighteous"

Being “overrighteous” in this context does not refer to living in moral obedience to God’s revealed standards—Scripture consistently commends genuine righteousness (e.g., Genesis 15:6; Psalm 106:3). Instead, “overrighteous” points to a self-righteous or legalistic attitude whereby one tries to earn favor or act beyond what God requires, inadvertently lapsing into a form of pride.

Jesus Himself admonished the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety while neglecting the heart of the matter (Matthew 23:23-28). They had added countless human traditions on top of God’s commands, effectively burdening people and obscuring authentic devotion. This is the same pitfall Ecclesiastes 7:16 warns against: building an appearance of extreme virtue while missing the spirit of true righteousness that comes only by submission to God.

Attempting to go “above and beyond” God’s intention for our moral lives can also manifest as judging others harshly, placing ourselves in the role of ultimate moral evaluator. However, Scripture teaches that each person will ultimately answer to the Lord (Romans 14:10-12). Recognizing our limitations is essential so that we do not distort righteous living into a prideful stance.

Meaning of "Overwise"

The second caution, “do not make yourself too wise,” underscores the danger of relying excessively on human wisdom. While faith in God welcomes the pursuit of knowledge (Proverbs 4:7; 1 Kings 4:29-34 depicts Solomon’s incredible God-given wisdom), there is a specific type of “wise in your own eyes” attitude Scripture condemns (Proverbs 3:7).

Human reasoning that excludes God or elevates itself as omniscient sets up a structure ripe for a downfall. Ecclesiastes repeatedly shows even the greatest human wisdom has boundaries (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18). When we overesteem our intellect, we risk ignoring divine revelation and spiraling into harmful rationalizations. This can produce not genuine insight but arrogance that dismisses needed correction and accountability.

Balancing Righteousness and Wisdom

The core concern in Ecclesiastes 7:16 is not about diminishing godly righteousness or the pursuit of legitimate wisdom. Rather, it highlights how extremes—particularly extremes that place self at the center—are harmful. True righteousness must derive from God’s grace (e.g., Romans 3:21-26) and be practiced with humility, while biblical wisdom begins with “the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 9:10).

Scripture commends growth in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) and encourages developing spiritual discernment (Philippians 1:9-10). However, it also emphasizes that human pride easily hijacks these pursuits, leading to a hollow form of religious zeal or intellectual vanity.

Examples from Scripture

• Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36): They upheld countless rules to prove themselves “more righteous” than others, yet Jesus rebuked their hypocrisy. This reveals the danger of focusing on external righteousness rather than genuine submission to God’s truth.

• Job’s Friends (Book of Job): They prided themselves on “wise counsel” and insisted Job’s suffering had a simple cause—his presumed sin. Their confidence in their own wisdom blinded them to the broader narrative of God’s plan. In Job 42:7-9, the LORD rebukes them for not speaking truthfully.

• Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9): The builders sought to make a name for themselves by their own ingenuity and ambition. Their presumption in overreaching pride led to confusion. This is a cautionary tale about how human efforts—unmoored from humble submission to God—bring about destructive consequences.

Practical Implications

1. Guarding Against Self-Righteousness: Recognize that even righteous deeds can become tainted if our motivation is self-exaltation (Luke 18:9-14). We should remain aware that the only true covering of perfect righteousness comes from the atonement provided by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

2. Remaining Humble in Wisdom: Devotion to study, research, and reflection is commendable, yet we must remain teachable before God’s Word. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” We steward our intellectual gifts best when we remember the source of all wisdom.

3. Balancing Zeal with Grace: Zeal and obedience should exist in tandem with compassion and dependence on God’s grace. Philippians 2:13 affirms that God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. This fosters a posture of continual reliance, not self-inspired perfectionism.

4. Avoiding the Trap of Legalism: Overemphasizing minor matters or adding extrabiblical burdens shifts focus away from the true message of Scripture. Galatians 5:1 reminds believers: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.”

5. Seeking True Wisdom from God: James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” This open invitation reveals that genuine wisdom is everlinked to prayer and dependence upon God’s guidance.

Walking in Dependence and Trust

Ecclesiastes 7:16 calls us to recognize human limitations and to place ultimate trust in divine sovereignty. Given that salvation comes through Christ’s completed work, any attempt to surpass His righteousness by our own effort or to supplant His truth with our own reasoning leads to frustration and spiritual harm. Conversely, living a life of humble surrender—embracing the righteousness imparted by God and seeking wisdom from Him—provides the balance Scripture continually promotes.

Holding these truths in tension keeps us from drifting into the errors of self-righteousness or autonomous human wisdom. It also aligns us with the broader teaching of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Conclusion

“Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise” (Ecclesiastes 7:16) stands as a warning against prideful extremes. Authentic righteousness flows from God’s gracious gift, not from self-generated perfection. Legitimates wisdom springs from reverential trust in the Creator, not from purely human brilliance.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes, drawing from the realities of life and the limits of human understanding, encourages balanced reliance upon God. In practice, this means living faithfully before Him, using our minds diligently yet humbly, and caring about others without succumbing to a rigid or prideful spirit.

Walking in this balanced manner helps us avoid harming ourselves and those around us. It echoes the biblical call to seek God wholeheartedly, treasure His wisdom, and align our pursuits with His truth—so that our righteousness and wisdom both come from Him and reflect His character rather than our own striving.