何謂行義過分？何謂行惡過分？（傳7章）

有義人行義、反致滅亡．有惡人行惡、倒享長壽．這都是我在虛度之日中所見過的。不要行義過分．也不要過於自逞智慧．何必自取敗亡呢？不要行惡過分．也不要為人愚昧．何必不到期而死呢？（傳 7：15-17）

這段經文，在提醒我們對於聖經真理、神的命令，要謹守遵行，不要自己以為是任意加添，或任意刪減。經文中「行義過分」的「過分」，原文意思是「加添」的意思。加添，就是在標準之外新增的意思。「行義」要完全遵照聖經真理，不可以自認為哪些方面要加一點，或是哪些方面可以刪除。

行義過分、與行惡過分，就是指隨心所欲遵行真理的人，不是以神為標準，而是以自己的慾望為標準。例如聖經中的法利賽人。主說：

你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了．因為你們好像粉飾的墳墓、外面好看、裏面卻裝滿了死人的骨頭、和一切的污穢。你們也是如此、在人前、外面顯出公義來、裏面卻裝滿了假善和不法的事。（太 23：27-28）

法利賽人的「行義」，是為了得到眾人虛浮的讚美。「他們一切所作的事、都是要叫人看見．所以將佩戴的經文做寬了、衣裳的繸子做長了．喜愛筵席上的首座、會堂裏的高位。（太 23：5-6）」法利賽人為了得美名，所以在大家認為的敬虔上，還要更敬虔，才能突顯自己的優越。因此刻意「將佩戴的經文做寬了、衣裳的繸子做長了」，為了得人稱讚。對當時的這些配備而言，其實有一定的規範，但是他們的就特別寬、特別長。主耶穌說，他們「好像粉飾的墳墓、外面好看、裏面卻裝滿了死人的骨頭、和一切的污穢。」，因為該遵行的不去遵行，不需過分的事，卻都太過份了。

今天我們對於聖經的真理，要詳細查考。聖經明令不可犯的，絕不要去犯；明令該做的事，就認真去做；至於沒有規範到的事，當謹慎小心，確認後再去做。神的道，就是一把尺，是絕對的標準，不可自行加添，也不可刪減。經上說：

你們要小心、不要失去你們〔有古卷作我們〕所作的工、乃要得着滿足的賞賜。凡越過基督的教訓、不常守着的、就沒有神．常守這教訓的、就有父又有子。（約貳 8-9）

這裏的「越過」，原來的意思是「領導」之意。「越過基督的教訓」，就是「領導基督原本的真理」之意。以中文意思來看，也是「加添」的意思。今天許多異端，就來自於過度強調比神原本規範的真理之愛，還要再多一點，認為「基督的愛還不夠，我才是最有愛心的」，於是反抗真理，提倡沒有死罪、不談刑罰，且強調講台訊息不該講嚴厲的話威脅信徒，藉此矇騙世人，行沽名釣譽之時。其實，只要所傳的不符聖經，想要超越基督的愛，就是「行義過分」，當然就沒有永生，結局就是「反致滅亡」。保羅說：

我希奇你們這麼快離開那藉着基督之恩召你們的、去從別的福音。那並不是福音、不過有些人攪擾你們、要把基督的福音更改了。但無論是我們、是天上來的使者、若傳福音給你們、與我們所傳給你們的不同、他就應當被咒詛。我們已經說了、現在又說、若有人傳福音給你們、與你們所領受的不同、他就應當被咒詛。我現在是要得人的心呢？還是要得神的心呢？我豈是討人的喜歡麼？若仍舊討人的喜歡、我就不是基督的僕人了。（加 1：6-10）

「行惡過分」，則是提醒：人難免犯罪，傳道者在這裡也說：「時常行善而不犯罪的義人、世上實在沒有。（傳 7：20）。」即使如此，也是要懂得自我省察，及時悔改。不要認為：我今天做了這惡，神也沒有說不行，所以就繼續行惡，如此就行惡過分了。若有這樣的認知，就是「過於自逞智慧」。要知道，神不立即刑罰，是出於祂的「寬容」。人千萬不要消費神的忍耐與寬容，因為沒有人可以超越神、凌駕神。一旦時候到了，就會「自取敗亡」，甚至「不到期而死」。

對於神的命令，當全心全力地完成，學習保羅向標竿直跑的態度，而且不偏不倚地跑在真理的軌道上，不要自逞智慧，任意竄改真理「出軌」了。真理當絕對遵守，因主耶穌要求我們：「所以你們要完全、像你們的天父完全一樣。（太 5：48）。」

千萬不要誤解傳道書這段經文，認為「中庸」就好，然後成為躺平的信徒，不想認真追求信仰，另一方面雖大錯不犯，卻小錯不斷，並因此洋洋得意。應當要「你持守這個為美．那個也不要鬆手．因為敬畏　神的人、必從這兩樣出來。（傳 7：18）」，「這個」與「那個」就是指神的所有命令、全備的真理，千萬不可點餐式地選擇性遵守，而是都要持守，完全地「謹守遵行」，如此才是真信仰的正確態度，藉此也成為蒙福的人。

你若留意聽從耶和華你神的話、謹守遵行他的一切誡命、就是我今日所吩咐你的、他必使你超乎天下萬民之上。你若聽從耶和華你　神的話、這以下的福必追隨你、臨到你身上。（申 28：1-2）

By Isaiah Kao

What Does It Mean to Be “Overly Righteous” and “Overly Wicked”? (Ecclesiastes 7)

“There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:15–17, NASB 2020)

This passage reminds us that we must carefully keep and follow the truth of the Bible and God’s commandments. We must not think to add to them or take away from them according to our own ideas. The word “excessively” in “overly righteous” carries the meaning of “adding.” To add means to go beyond the given standard. Therefore, righteousness must be practiced fully according to biblical truth—we must not think that we can add something here or remove something there.

Being “overly righteous” or “overly wicked” refers to those who follow truth according to their own desires rather than according to God’s standard. A clear example is found in the Pharisees. The Lord said:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, NASB 2020)

The “righteousness” of the Pharisees was for gaining empty praise from people. “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the seats of honor in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5–6, NASB 2020). 

In order to gain a good reputation, they tried to appear more devout than others. They intentionally made their phylacteries wider and their tassels longer. Although there were already proper standards for such things, theirs were made especially wide and long. The Lord said they were like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside, but full of uncleanness within. They failed to practice what truly mattered, yet were excessive in what was unnecessary.

Today, we must carefully examine biblical truth. What the Bible clearly forbids, we must never commit. What it commands, we must faithfully do. As for matters not standardized, we must act cautiously and confirm carefully before proceeding. God’s word is like a measuring line—it is an absolute standard. We must neither add to it nor take away from it. Scripture says:

“Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 8–9, NASB 2020)

The phrase “goes too far” originally carries the idea of “going ahead” or “leading.” To go beyond the teaching of Christ is to go ahead of the original truth—essentially, to add to it. Many heresies today arise from overemphasizing a kind of “love” that goes beyond the truth as defined by God. Some claim, “Christ’s love is not enough; I am more loving,” and thus resist the truth. They deny sin, avoid speaking of judgment, and insist that sermons should not include severe warnings. In doing so, they deceive others while seeking reputation for themselves. In reality, any teaching that does not align with the Bible and attempts to surpass Christ’s truth is “overly righteous.” Such a path leads not to eternal life but to destruction. Paul said:

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is not just another account, but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6–10, NASB 2020)

As for “overly wicked,” it is a warning. Although people may inevitably sin, as the Preacher also says: “Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20, NASB 2020). Even so, we must examine ourselves and repent promptly. We must not think, “I have done this evil and God has not said anything, so I can continue.” That is to be “overly wicked.” Such thinking is being “overly wise” in one’s own eyes. We must understand that God’s delay in judgment comes from His patience and tolerance. We must not take advantage of His patience, for no one can surpass or overrule God. When the time comes, it will lead to ruin—even to “dying before one’s time.”

Regarding God’s commandments, we should fulfill them with all our heart and strength, learning from Paul’s attitude of pressing toward the goal. We must stay precisely on the path of truth without deviation, not relying on our own wisdom or altering the truth at will. Truth must be absolutely obeyed, for the Lord Jesus said: “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48, NASB 2020)

We must not misunderstand this passage in Ecclesiastes as teaching a “middle way,” leading us to become passive believers who do not pursue faith seriously. On one hand, they avoid major sins; on the other, they continue in small sins and even feel proud of it. Instead, we should hold firmly to both:

“It is good that you grasp one thing and also do not let go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with both of them.” (Ecclesiastes 7:18, NASB 2020)

“These two things” refer to all of God’s commandments and the complete truth. We must not selectively obey like choosing items from a menu. Rather, we must "keep and practice" all of them fully. This is the correct attitude of true faith and the way to receive blessing.

“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to follow all His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1–2, NASB 2020)