Inquiry:
Has there ever been a righteous person? Some texts say no (Job 15:14; Isaiah 41:26; 64:6; Romans 3:10), but others say yes (Genesis 7:1; 2 Samuel 22:25; Job 2:3; Psalm 1:5-6; Ecclesiastes 9:1; Ezekiel 14:14-20; Matthew 5:20; 13:17; 23:35, 46; Luke 1:6; Hebrews 11:4; James 5?18; 2 Peter 2:5, 7-8). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
That’s quite a list. Of course, since the Bible reveals that some are righteous (see the “yes” list), we need only focus on the “No” list. And for a contradiction to exist, a verse on that list must demonstrated that it is impossible for a person to ever be righteous.
In Job 15:14, Eliphaz asked, “What is man … that he could be righteous?” It seems that he does not think man can be righteous, but in Job 1:8; 2:3, God identified Job as a righteous man.
Set into its context, Isaiah 41:26 reveals that none of the Gentile gods could be called righteous or true. It is about pagan deities, not men.
Isaiah 64 is a lament by the prophet about the sins of Israel. Once they were righteous, but had turned away from such (v 5). What they now presented to God as righteousness was not upright at all, but more akin to filthy rags.
Romans 3:10 quotes both Psalm 14:1 and 53:1. Who is identified as not doing good? Both texts speak of the fool who denies the existence of God. Psalm 14:5 says God is with the righteous.
There is no contradiction.
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