◄ Ecclesiastes 7:16 ►
Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:16? 2. How can we avoid being "overly righteous" as warned in Ecclesiastes 7:16? 3. What does Ecclesiastes 7:16 teach about the dangers of self-righteousness? 4. How does Ecclesiastes 7:16 relate to Jesus' teachings on humility? 5. In what ways can Ecclesiastes 7:16 guide our daily decision-making? 6. How can Ecclesiastes 7:16 help balance righteousness and humility in our lives? 7. What does Ecclesiastes 7:16 mean by "Do not be overly righteous"? 8. How can one be "overly wise" according to Ecclesiastes 7:16? 9. Why does Ecclesiastes 7:16 warn against being overly righteous or wise? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7? 11. In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being “overly righteous” is discouraged—doesn’t this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)? 12. What defines centrism or a centrist? 13. What is the Doctrine of the Mean? 14. What does 'not be overrighteous or overwise' mean? Discussion Questions 1. How can we discern the difference between genuine righteousness and being "overly righteous" in our daily lives? 2. In what ways might the pursuit of wisdom become excessive, and how can we maintain a humble approach to learning? 3. How does the warning in Ecclesiastes 7:16 relate to Jesus' teachings on the Pharisees in the New Testament? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our pursuit of righteousness and wisdom is balanced and God-centered? 5. How can we apply the principle of avoiding self-destruction through excessive righteousness in our interactions with others, especially within the church community? Ecclesiastes 7 Bible Study Questions 1. How does the assertion that 'the day of death is better than the day of birth' challenge conventional thinking about life and death? 2. What does it mean to have a 'good name', and why is it considered better than fine perfume in Ecclesiastes 7? 3. How can we apply the teaching that it is better to hear a wise person’s rebuke than a fool's song in our modern context? 4. What does the metaphor of 'crackling of thorns under the pot' convey about the worth of fools' laughter? 5. How might the understanding that 'oppression can make a wise man foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart' influence your decisions and actions? 6. How does the assertion against longing for 'the good old days' apply to our current culture's propensity for nostalgia? 7. How does Solomon's view of wisdom being a shelter, like money, relate to your understanding of the value of wisdom? 8. How can we accept and learn from both the good and the bad times, as suggested in verses 11-14? 9. What does it mean to be overly righteous and overly wicked? How does this balance play out in your daily life? 10. Why is acknowledging our own sins an essential part of personal and spiritual growth? 11. How does Solomon's struggle to find wisdom resonate with your own experiences? 12. Why do you think Solomon was unable to find an upright woman in his search? 13. How does the claim that 'God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes' reflect on human nature and our relationship with God? 14. In what ways does the reflection on the extremes of righteousness and wickedness challenge the traditional moral dichotomy? 15. How does the contemplation on human limitations in understanding God's work impact your faith? 16. How can you apply the lessons on wisdom and folly from Ecclesiastes 7 in your personal and professional life? 17. What insights from this chapter can help us navigate the uncertainties and challenges of the modern world? 18. How does the concept of mortality in Ecclesiastes 7 influence your perspective on life and your priorities? 19. In what ways can the wisdom of accepting life's adversities, as presented in this chapter, be beneficial to mental and emotional resilience? 20. How can we cultivate a 'good name' in today's digital age, where our actions can be amplified and scrutinized on a global scale? Links Ecclesiastes 7:16 NIV Ecclesiastes 7:16 NLT Ecclesiastes 7:16 ESV Ecclesiastes 7:16 NASB Ecclesiastes 7:16 KJV Ecclesiastes 7:16 Commentaries Bible Hub