Is Noah's Righteousness a Divine Exception?
In this article, you will learn how Genesis 6:8 contradicts Romans 3:23, Psalm 14:3, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Isaiah 64:6 and Job 15:14. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The story of Noah in the Bible presents a fascinating point of discussion regarding human righteousness and divine grace. In Genesis 6:8, Noah is uniquely favored by God in a world steeped in sin and corruption. This implies that Noah's character and behavior set him apart, earning God's grace in a way others did not. Yet, when examining other biblical passages, a contradiction emerges, prompting reflection.
Romans 3:23 states that all humans have sinned, leaving no room for exceptions. It suggests a universal human shortcoming that conflicts with the perception of Noah's exceptional righteousness. Similarly, Psalm 14:3 echoes this notion by affirming that there is none who does good—a statement that stands in stark contrast to Noah's portrayal in Genesis.
Further compounding this contradiction, Ecclesiastes 7:20 asserts that there is no just person on earth who does good and never sins. This seems to challenge the notion that Noah’s actions were solely responsible for the grace he received. Isaiah 64:6 goes even further by equating human righteousness to filthy rags, implying that no human effort could merit divine favor, potentially including Noah’s.
Moreover, Job 15:14 questions the possibility of human purity or righteousness, again challenging the uniqueness of Noah's status in Genesis. These verses present a complex interplay between human imperfection and divine grace.
Imagine humanity as a classroom where every student consistently struggles to meet the standard. Yet, one student, Noah, is recognized for special merit. Does this mean he surpasses others inherently, or does the teacher, God, apply a grace-driven exception?
These contradictions lead to pondering: Was Noah truly an exception, or does his story emphasize that divine grace, rather than human perfection, is the key to finding favor with God? These questions invite a deeper exploration of morality and grace in human-divine interactions.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Genesis 6:8 | But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. |
| 2. | Romans 3:23 | For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; |
| 3. | Psalm 14:3 | They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. [filthy: Heb. stinking] |
| 4. | Ecclesiastes 7:20 | For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. |
| 5. | Isaiah 64:6 | But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. |
| 6. | Job 15:14 | What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous? |