Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
HOLDEN makes Ecclesiastes 7:16 the scoffing inference of the objector, and Ecclesiastes 7:17 the answer of Solomon, now repentant. So (I Corinthians 15:32) the skeptic's objection; (I Corinthians 15:33) the answer. However, "Be not righteous over much," may be taken as Solomon's words, forbidding a self-made righteousness of outward performances, which would wrest salvation from God, instead of receiving it as the gift of His grace. It is a fanatical, pharisaical righteousness, separated from God; for the "fear of God" is in antithesis to it (Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 5:3, Ecclesiastes 5:7; Matthew 6:1-7; Matthew 9:14; Matthew 23:23-24; Romans 10:3; I Timothy 4:3).
over wise— (Job 11:12; Romans 12:3, Romans 12:16), presumptuously self-sufficient, as if acquainted with the whole of divine truth.
destroy thyself—expose thyself to needless persecution, austerities and the wrath of God; hence to an untimely death. "Destroy thyself" answers to "perisheth" (Ecclesiastes 7:15); "righteous over much," to "a just man." Therefore in Ecclesiastes 7:15 it is self-justiciary, not a truly righteous man, that is meant.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Ecclesiastes 7:16:
Ecclesiastes 7:15
Ecclesiastes 7:16
Ecclesiastes 7:17
Ecclesiastes 7:18
Ecclesiastes 7:20
Ecclesiastes 7:21
Ecclesiastes 7:21
Ecclesiastes 7:23
Ecclesiastes 7:23
Ecclesiastes 8:14
Ecclesiastes 8:16
Ecclesiastes 12:13
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