Contradiction with Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." This verse encourages trusting God over human understanding, while Ecclesiastes 7:23 acknowledges a limitation in 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
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." This verse emphasizes the superiority of God's wisdom over human wisdom, contrasting with Ecclesiastes 7:23's focus on the pursuit of understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Contradiction with Job 28:28
"And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." This verse identifies fearing the Lord as wisdom, which contrasts with Ecclesiastes 7:23's recognition of human limits in seeking wisdom.
Job 28:28: And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.
Paradox #1
Ecclesiastes 7:23 could be seen as expressing a sense of human limitation in understanding or wisdom, which might conflict with the idea that humans can achieve wisdom through divine guidance or effort. This tension between human wisdom and divine wisdom can create a theological inconsistency for those who believe that complete understanding is attainable through faith.
Paradox #2
Ecclesiastes 7:23 might seem inconsistent because it suggests a pursuit of wisdom but acknowledges the challenge or impossibility of fully grasping it. This could conflict with other parts of the Bible that strongly emphasize gaining wisdom and understanding as attainable and beneficial goals, creating a tension between the ideal of acquiring wisdom and the reality of its limitations.
Paradox #3
Ecclesiastes 7:23 expresses an attempt to be wise and understand everything, but acknowledges that it's not possible. The possible contradiction or inconsistency here might be the tension between valuing wisdom and recognizing the limits of human understanding. On one hand, people are encouraged to seek wisdom; on the other, they're reminded that complete wisdom is unreachable, which might conflict with the pursuit of knowledge as a worthy goal.