Contradiction with Proverbs 3:5
Ecclesiastes 12:11 emphasizes the firm and guiding nature of wise words, while Proverbs 3:5 encourages trust in God rather than relying solely on human wisdom.
Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 1:25
Ecclesiastes 12:11 highlights the wisdom from wise teachers, but 1 Corinthians 1:25 suggests that even God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Contradiction with James 1:5
Ecclesiastes 12:11 discusses the certainty of wise words, whereas James 1:5 suggests that wisdom should be sought from God, highlighting a potential unreliability in human counsel alone.
James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Contradiction with Matthew 11:25
Ecclesiastes 12:11 promotes the idea of learned wisdom, while Matthew 11:25 depicts wisdom being hidden from the wise and revealed to babes, implying a contradiction in the accessibility of true wisdom.
Matthew 11:25: At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Ecclesiastes 12:11 could relate to the idea that wisdom and teachings are steady and unchanging, like nails firmly fixed, yet life and human experiences are often complex and evolving. This could seem inconsistent because it suggests a static nature of wisdom in a dynamic world where situations and contexts frequently change, potentially requiring more adaptable guidance.