Contradiction with Romans 3:11
This verse contradicts Isaiah 64:5 as it states that there is none that seeks after God, while Isaiah 64:5 suggests that God meets those who rejoice and work righteousness.
Romans 3:11: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Contradiction with Romans 3:12
It declares all have gone out of the way and become unprofitable, conflicting with the idea that there are those who do righteousness in Isaiah 64:5.
Romans 3:12: They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 7:20
This verse claims there is not a just man on earth that does good and sins not, contrary to the assertion of righteous deeds in Isaiah 64:5.
Ecclesiastes 7:20: For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Contradiction with Psalm 14:3
It states that all have turned aside and none do good, conflicting with Isaiah 64:5 which acknowledges those who work righteousness.
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]
Contradiction with 1 John 1:8
Proclaims that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, opposing the notion of people working righteousness as mentioned in Isaiah 64:5.
1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Paradox #1
Isaiah 64:5 generally expresses the idea that God meets those who do right and remember His ways. The potential contradiction might arise when comparing this with the concept of grace in the New Testament, where it is emphasized that salvation and favor from God come not by works but through faith. The seeming inconsistency is whether good deeds are necessary to receive God's favor or if God's grace is given independently of human actions.
Paradox #2
Some people find a contradiction in Isaiah 64:5 because it can be seen as suggesting that human efforts and good deeds might fall short in the eyes of God, which can seem discouraging to those who strive to live righteously. The conflict arises in balancing the belief that good actions and righteousness are important, with a feeling that they might not be sufficient or valued without divine intervention. This tension can create confusion about the value of personal effort versus relying solely on faith.