1341. dikaiokrisia
Lexical Summary
dikaiokrisia: Righteous judgment

Original Word: δικαιοκρισία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: dikaiokrisia
Pronunciation: dee-kah-yok-ree-SEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (dik-ah-yok-ris-ee'-ah)
KJV: righteous judgment
NASB: righteous judgment
Word Origin: [from G1342 (δίκαιος - righteous) and G2920 (κρίσις - judgment)]

1. a just sentence

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
righteous judgment.

From dikaios and krisis; a just sentence -- righteous judgment.

see GREEK dikaios

see GREEK krisis

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1341 dikaiokrisía (a feminine noun derived from 1342 /díkaios, "righteous" and 2920 /krísis, "judgment") – properly, the brand of judgment based on God's standard (His own justice), condemning what is wrong in light of His eternal morality (used only in Ro 2:5). See 1343 (dikaiosynē).

[Strictly speaking, 1341 (dikaiokrisía) is a compound rather than a pure cognate. It is grouped here however because of its tight connection to the dik- word-family.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dikaios and krisis
Definition
righteous judgment
NASB Translation
righteous judgment (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1341: δικαιοκρισία

δικαιοκρισία; δικαιοκρισίας, , righteous judgment: Romans 2:5. (an uncertain translation in Hosea 6:5 (where the Sept. κρίμα) Test. xii. patr. (test. Levi § 3), p. 547, and (sec. 15), p. 581, Fabric. edition; Justin Martyr, resp. de resurrect. xi. (15) 28, p. 360 edition tert. Otto; (Hippolytus, p. 801 a. edition Migne); Basil, iii., p. 476 d., Garn. edition or, p. 694, Par. edition alt. 1839. (Cf. Winer's Grammar, 25; 99 (94)).)

Topical Lexicon
Word in Focus and Immediate Context

Romans 2:5 sets δικαιοκρισία as the climactic warning to any who rely on outward privilege while persisting in unrepentant sin. Paul declares, “because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Berean Standard Bible). The noun identifies the final, wholly equitable verdict God will render—unbiased, incorruptible, and fully aligned with His moral nature.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Character: Scripture consistently links righteousness and justice with God’s very being (Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14). Romans 2:5 gathers these attributes into a single eschatological act.
2. Impartiality: Romans 2 unfolds the principle that “God shows no partiality” (Romans 2:11). δικαιοκρισία embodies that impartiality, extending the same unflinching standard to Jew and Gentile alike.
3. Accountability: The term underscores personal responsibility. Every unbelieving heart “stores up wrath,” revealing that condemnation is self–incurred, not arbitrary.
4. Wrath and Mercy in Tension: While the noun highlights judgment, its context prepares readers for the gospel remedy (Romans 3:21-26). The righteous judgment that threatens the sinner magnifies the righteousness that justifies the believer through faith in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Background

Though the exact Greek term is absent from the Septuagint, its concept saturates the Hebrew Scriptures:
• “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).
• “He will judge the world in righteousness” (Psalm 9:8; Psalm 96:13).
• Prophets connect the Day of the LORD with righteous retribution (Isaiah 11:4; Zephaniah 3:8). Paul’s word choice in Romans resonates with these prophetic expectations, framing the gospel within Israel’s eschatological hope.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ is appointed to execute God’s righteous judgment (John 5:22; Acts 17:31). The uniqueness of δικαιοκρισία in Romans 2:5 serves to fasten the certainty of that future session to the finished work at Calvary and the empty tomb. Justice and justification converge in Christ: the Judge becomes the propitiation (Romans 3:25-26).

Eschatological Dimension

Believers anticipate a “day” when righteousness will be unveiled, echoing Daniel 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. δικαιοκρισία points to a decisive historical event, not merely an abstract principle. It guarantees the rectification of every wrong and the vindication of God’s covenant faithfulness.

Pastoral and Practical Implications

• Evangelism: Awareness of coming righteous judgment urges earnest proclamation of repentance (Acts 24:25).
• Holiness: The certainty of δικαιοκρισία motivates believers to pursue sanctification (1 Peter 1:17).
• Perseverance under Injustice: Sufferers can “entrust themselves to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23), freeing them from vengeance.
• Worship: Contemplating God’s righteous judgment fosters reverent awe (Revelation 15:3-4).

Related New Testament Vocabulary

– κρίμα (judgment, verdict) highlights the act.

– δικαιοσύνη (righteousness) indicates the standard.

– ὀργή (wrath) expresses the emotional and punitive aspect accompanying δικαιοκρισία.

Together they unfold a coherent doctrine: God’s verdict is righteous, His wrath is justified, and His gospel provides acquittal.

Reception in the Early Church

Early Christian writers echoed Romans 2:5 when warning against complacency. For example, Second Clement urges believers to “think of the righteous judgment” as stimulus to perseverance. The Didache frames two ways—life and death—terminating in divine judgment, mirroring Paul’s dual outcome (Romans 2:6-10).

Implications for Mission and Witness

Mission is propelled by the conviction that every culture faces the same bar of δικαιοκρισία. Therefore, disciples embrace cross-cultural outreach (Romans 1:14-15), confident that the gospel answers the universal predicament laid bare in Romans 2.

Devotional Reflection

Meditation on δικαιοκρισία balances comfort and caution. Comfort, because no injustice escapes God’s notice; caution, because hypocrisy will be exposed. The believer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, can meet that day without dread, yet with sober gratitude that the Judge is also the Savior.

Forms and Transliterations
δικαιοκρισιας δικαιοκρισίας dikaiokrisias dikaiokrisías
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 2:5 N-GFS
GRK: καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως δικαιοκρισίας τοῦ θεοῦ
NAS: and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
KJV: revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
INT: and revelation of righteous judgement of God

Strong's Greek 1341
1 Occurrence


δικαιοκρισίας — 1 Occ.

1340
Top of Page
Top of Page