The phrase “overrighteous and overwise” comes from Ecclesiastes 7:16, which states: “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?” (KJV). This verse provides an important warning against self-righteousness and pride in one’s own wisdom.
1. The danger of being overrighteous
To be “overrighteous” means to go beyond true righteousness into self-righteousness. It is an excessive concern with observing rules, rituals, and moral codes in order to prove one’s own righteousness. A few issues arise with this attitude:
- It leads to hypocrisy, acting righteous outwardly while inwardly harboring sin and pride.
- It focuses on external acts rather than internal character change through the Holy Spirit.
- It judges others harshly who don’t live up to the same strict standards.
- It neglects justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
- It denies the need for God’s grace and redemption through Christ.
Self-righteousness is dangerous because it represents a human attempt to earn salvation through works rather than receiving it as a gift of grace. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day provide a sobering example of overrighteousness. They were scrupulous about observing the law yet lacked love and mercy toward others (Luke 11:42). Ultimately their rigorous rule-keeping blinded them to their own need for a Savior.
2. The temptation of being overwise
“Overwise” refers to an excessive confidence in one’s own wisdom. A few problems arise when people become overly enamored with their own knowledge and abilities:
- Pride – they look down on those less educated or intellectual than themselves.
- Self-reliance – they trust in their own wisdom rather than seeking God’s wisdom.
- Closed-mindedness – they are no longer teachable or humble enough to receive correction or listen to others.
- Worldliness – they rely on secular philosophy rather than God’s truth revealed in Scripture.
- Deception – they think themselves wise but are actually foolish in God’s eyes (Romans 1:22).
The temptation towards intellectual pride is common among the educated and learned. But in God’s kingdom, worldly wisdom counts for nothing unless submitted to Christ. Paul reminds us that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). We should seek after God’s wisdom rather than leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).
3. The solution is finding balance and wisdom in Christ
How can we avoid the dual pitfalls of overrighteousness and overwisdom? The solution ultimately comes from having a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Some principles for finding balance include:
- Recognize our need for grace – Our righteousness comes not through strict rule-keeping but through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9). We desperately need God’s grace.
- Cultivate humility – We should have a realistic view of ourselves, neither thinking too highly nor too lowly (Romans 12:3). Pride distorts our self-assessment.
- Pursue Christlike character – Mere outward righteousness isn’t enough. We need inward renewal by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
- Listen to correction – Overwise people reject criticism and surround themselves with yes-men. But we need to open our ears to receive wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15).
- Value others – Focusing only on our own righteousness or wisdom blinds us to the gifts and worth of those around us. We need community.
- Fear God – The beginning of wisdom is reverence for the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). If we fear and obey Him, we will avoid sinful extremes.
As we grow in relationship with Jesus, He trains us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit to walk the narrow path of true righteousness and wisdom. We reflect Him most accurately when we combine grace and truth, strength and humility, boldness and gentleness. Only in Christ do we find the perfect balance.
4. Examples of overrighteousness
The Bible contains several examples of overrighteousness that provide cautionary tales:
- Pharisees: They were hyper-focused on law keeping, Sabbath rules, tithing, ceremonial washing, etc. But they neglected justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23). Their showy righteousness was hypocritical.
- Judaizers: They insisted Gentile believers in the early church follow Jewish customs like circumcision and food laws in order to be saved (Acts 15:5). This added human efforts to the completed work of Christ.
- False teachers: The New Testament warns against those who promote false asceticism, obsessive rule-keeping, and harsh treatment of the body (Colossians 2:20-23).
- Cain: Cain’s sacrifice was rejected because he merely went through the motions without faith. He was angry when God accepted his brother’s offering (Genesis 4:3-7).
- Pharisee and tax collector: Jesus contrasts the proud Pharisee trusting in his own righteous deeds with the humble tax collector who relied fully on God’s mercy (Luke 18:9-14).
In each case, self-righteousness and pride in human achievement blinded people to their need for a Savior. This dangerous spiritual state continues to affect the church today whenever we slip into legalism or works-based righteousness.
5. Examples of being overwise
Like overrighteousness, the Bible contains many warnings against overestimating one’s own wisdom and intelligence. For example:
- Satan: Though the highest angel, he was not content and wanted to elevate himself above God (Isaiah 14:12-14). Pride led to his rebellion and fall.
- Adam and Eve: They sought moral autonomy by eating the forbidden fruit, believing they could be “like God” (Genesis 3:5-6). This was actually foolish rebellion.
- Tower of Babel: The builders sought to “make a name” for themselves rather than glorify God. Their prideful self-reliance brought confusion (Genesis 11:4, 9).
- Wise man: Jesus warns that anyone who hears His words but does not obey is like a foolish man whose house fell (Matthew 7:24-27). Mere hearing without obedience displays overwisdom.
- Greeks: Paul says the sophisticated Greeks sought worldly wisdom rather than the apparent “foolishness” of the gospel. But true wisdom comes through the cross alone (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
Knowledge itself is not bad, but unchecked it easily feeds pride in human achievement apart from God. We must reject self-reliance and acknowledge Christ as the only true source of wisdom and righteousness.
6. Balance through Christ’s example
Jesus perfectly models the balance between righteousness and wisdom. Some principles we can learn from Him include:
- Jesus upheld God’s law without clinging legalistically to human traditions (Mark 7:1-13).
- He demonstrated compassion while still boldly proclaiming God’s truth.
- Though completely sinless, Jesus displayed great humility in serving and sacrificing for others (Philippians 2:3-11).
- Jesus reprimanded the self-righteous (Matthew 23) yet showed mercy to sinners (John 8:1-11).
- He astounded the world’s wisest teachers even as a child (Luke 2:46-47) yet submitted to His earthly parents (Luke 2:51).
- Jesus relied fully on the Spirit’s wisdom rather than His own intellect (John 5:19).
If we stay centered on Christ’s example as revealed in Scripture, we can avoid both self-righteousness and intellectual pride. Jesus modeled true Godly wisdom and righteousness that comes from dependency on the Father.
7. Practical tips for balance
Here are some practical tips for avoiding overrighteousness and overwisdom in our daily walk as believers:
- Pray for humility and wisdom from the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).
- Study Scripture regularly to renew your mind in God’s truth (Romans 12:2).
- Confess your sins and need for grace; don’t hide failures due to pride.
- Listen to the input of mentors and spiritual authorities God has placed over you.
- Aim for progress in maturity rather than perfection in performance.
- Examine your motives to check for pride, insecurity, fear of man, etc.
- Serve the needy – this helps demolish self-absorption.
- Hold loosely your own opinions and be ready to yield to what is right and true.
- Give credit to others; avoid taking all the glory for yourself.
Staying grounded in the gospel of grace is key. We can’t let either our quest for holiness or knowledge eclipse our need for Christ’s daily righteousness and wisdom.
8. Dangers of imbalance
Falling into the ditch on either side – too much or too little righteousness/wisdom – leads to negative consequences:
- Self-righteousness often results in pride, hypocrisy, judgmental attitudes, and spiritual apathy.
- Overconfidence in human wisdom leads to idolizing intellect, being closed off to God and truth, and dependence on inadequate worldly philosophies.
- Under-emphasis on righteousness can result in moral license, lack of holiness, and conformity to the world’s values.
- Disdaining wisdom and education altogether can foster immaturity, shallow faith, vulnerability to deceit, and intellectual stagnation.
For optimal fruitfulness and maturity, we need the wedding of righteousness and wisdom as modeled by Christ Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit. Imbalance in either direction can greatly impair our walk with God and witness to others.
9. The ultimate solution
Ecclesiastes 7:16 warns against being overrighteous and overwise because neither human effort can earn salvation or lead to true enlightenment apart from Christ. The ultimate solution to both errors is understanding and resting in the gospel.
Only Jesus lived a perfect righteous life pleasing to the Father, and only He deserves to receive all glory and honor. Our righteousness is filthy rags before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). We desperately need the gift of Christ’s righteousness credited to us by faith (Romans 4:22-25).
Furthermore, true wisdom begins with fearing the Lord and receiving His revelation with meekness (Proverbs 1:7). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). Any wisdom that ignores God’s truth in Scripture is fundamentally flawed.
As we fix our eyes on Jesus, pursuing intimate knowledge of Him through the Spirit, we find both the righteousness and wisdom we need. Any virtue apart from Him rings hollow. But in clinging to the gospel, we discover our identity and purpose in the One who is our righteousness, wisdom, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).