Contradiction with Matthew 5:44
Ecclesiastes 3:8 speaks of a time to hate and a time for war, whereas Matthew 5:44 teaches to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, advocating love over hate.
Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Contradiction with Romans 12:18
Ecclesiastes 3:8 acknowledges a time for war, in contrast, Romans 12:18 urges living peaceably with all, as much as possible, discouraging conflict.
Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Contradiction with 1 John 4:20
Ecclesiastes 3:8 mentions a time to hate, but 1 John 4:20 states that one cannot love God while hating a brother, promoting love over hate.
1 John 4:20: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Contradiction with James 4:1-2
While Ecclesiastes 3:8 includes a time for war, James 4:1-2 criticizes wars and fights among people as arising from wrongful desires, suggesting a negative view of conflict.
James 4:1-2: From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members? [fightings: or, brawlings] [lusts: or, pleasures]
Contradiction with Proverbs 10:12
Ecclesiastes 3:8 notes a time to hate, in contrast to Proverbs 10:12 which claims that hatred stirs up strife, whereas love covers all sins, promoting love continuously.
Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Paradox #1
Ecclesiastes 3:8 might seem to conflict with the general biblical teachings on love and peace. This verse suggests that there is a time for love and a time for hate, a time for war and a time for peace. This could be seen as inconsistent with other parts of the Bible that emphasize loving others, turning the other cheek, and seeking peace. Such tensions reflect the complex human experiences and emotions acknowledged in Ecclesiastes, compared to the ideal moral teachings found elsewhere in the scriptures.
Paradox #2
Ecclesiastes 3:8 mentions "a time for war, and a time for peace." Some people might see a contradiction because other parts of the Bible, like the teachings of Jesus, focus on peace and loving enemies. So, while this verse acknowledges that war can happen, other teachings emphasize peace and non-violence, which might seem inconsistent.
Paradox #3
Ecclesiastes 3:8 mentions "a time for war, and a time for peace." The moral conflict here could be that many teachings in the Bible emphasize peace, love, and forgiveness, such as "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek." This creates a contradiction with the idea that there is an acceptable time for war, which can involve violence and harm, opposing those peaceful teachings.