Lexical Summary dikaios: Righteous, just, upright Original Word: δίκαιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance just, righteous.From dike; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) -- just, meet, right(-eous). see GREEK dike HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1342 díkaios (an adjective, derived from dikē, "right, judicial approval") – properly, "approved by God" (J. Thayer); righteous; "just in the eyes of God" (Souter). See 1343 ("dikaiosynē). ["Righteous" relates to conformity to God's standard (justice). For more on the root-idea see the cognate noun, 1343 /dikaiosýnē ("righteousness").] 1342 /díkaios ("righteous, just") describes what is in conformity to God's own being (His will, standard of rightness); hence "upright." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diké Definition correct, righteous, by impl. innocent NASB Translation innocent (1), just (6), justice (1), right (7), righteous (48), righteous man (8), righteous man's (1), righteous men (1), righteous one (4), righteous person (1), righteous persons (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1342: δίκαιοςδίκαιος, δίκαια, δίκαιον (from δίκη right) (fr. Homer down), properly, the Hebrew צַדִּיק, "observant of ἡ δίκη, righteous, observing divine and human laws; one who is such as he ought to be; (German rechtbeschaffen; in the earlier language, whence appropriated by Luther,gerecht in a broad sense; in Greek writings used even of physical things, as ἵππος, Xenophon, mem. 4, 4, 5; γήδιον δικαιοτατον, most fertile, Xenophon, Cyril 8, 3, 38; (ἅρμα δίκαιον, ibid. 2, 2, 26)); 1. in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; a. universally: Matthew 1:19 (the meaning is, it was not consistent with his uprightness to expose his betrothed to public reproach); Matthew 10:41; Matthew 13:43, 49; Matthew 23:28; Matthew 25:37, 46; Luke 1:6, 17; Luke 14:14; Luke 18:9; Luke 20:20; Romans 5:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 117 (111)); 1 Timothy 1:9; James 5:6, 16; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:7 (10 Lachmann); Revelation 22:11; opposed to ἁμαρτωλοί καί ἀσεβεῖς, 1 Peter 4:18; δίκαιοι καί ἄδικοι, Matthew 5:45; Acts 24:15; used of O. T. characters noted for piety and probity: Matthew 13:17; (Matthew 23:29); Hebrews 12:23; thus of Abel, Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 11:4; of Lot, 2 Peter 2:7f. (Wis. 10:4f); of those who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves on their virtues, whether real or imaginary: Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32; Luke 15:7 (Ecclesiastes 7:17 (16)). Joined with εὐλαβής, Luke 2:25 (ἤθη ἐυλαβαη καί δίκαια, τό δίκαιον καί ἐυλαβες, Plato, polit., p. 311 a. b.); with ἅγιος, Mark 6:20; with ἀγαθός, Luke 23:50; with φοβούμενος τόν Θεόν, Acts 10:22; ἔργα δίκαια, opposite πονηρά, 1 John 3:12. Neuter τό δίκαιον, that which regard for duty demands, what is right: 2 Peter 1:13; plural Philippians 4:8; δίκαιον ἐστι, Ephesians 6:1; Philippians 1:7; with the addition of ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, God being judge, Acts 4:19. b. the negative idea predominating: innocent, faultless, guiltless, (for נָקִי, Proverbs 1:11; Job 9:23, etc.); thus used of Christ in the speech of Gentiles: Matthew 27:19, 24 R G L brackets Tr brackets WH marginal reading; Luke 23:47; αἷμα δίκαιον, (Proverbs 6:17; Joel 3:19 ( c. preeminently, of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in heart or life; in this sense Christ alone can be called δίκαιος: Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1; ἅγιος καί δίκαιος, Acts 3:14; among the rest of mankind it is rightly denied that one δίκαιος can be found, Romans 3:10 (Ecclesiastes 7:21-20ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἐστι δίκαιος ἐν τῇ γῆ, ὅς ποιήσει ἀγαθόν καί οὐχ ἁμαρτήσεται). of God: holy, Romans 3:26 (where it is to be closely rendered just or righteous, on account of the following καί τόν δικαιοῦντα, and the justifier or who pronounces righteous, but the substantial meaning is holy, that quality by virtue of which he hates and punishes sin); 1 John 2:29. d. contextually, approved God, acceptable to God, (German gottwohlgefallig): Romans 5:19; with the addition ἐκ πίστεως, acceptable to God by faith (Winer's Grammar, 136 (129)): Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38; δίκαιος παρά τῷ Θεῷ, Romans 2:13. 2. In a narrower sense, rendering to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them: Titus 1:8; so of God recompensing men impartially according to their deeds, Revelation 16:5; in the same sense also in John 17:25 (who does not award the same fate to the loving and faithful disciples of Christ and to 'the world'); 1 John 1:9 (who executes the laws of his government, and therefore also the law concerning the pardon of sins); ὁ δίκαιος κριτής, of Christ, 2 Timothy 4:8; κρίσις δίκαια, John 5:30; John 7:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; plural, Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2; αἱ ὁδοί τοῦ Θεοῦ δίκαια καί ἀληθιναί, Revelation 15:3; neuter τό δίκαιον, what is due to others, Colossians 4:1; what is agreeable to justice and law, Luke 12:51; δίκαιον namely, ἐστιν, it is agreeable to justice, 2 Thessalonians 1:6; accordant with deserts, Matthew 20:4, and The term embraces the whole idea of moral uprightness, judicial equity, and covenant fidelity. Whether applied to God, to Christ, or to redeemed people, it always measures reality against God’s own character and revealed standards. Roots in the Old Testament Story New Testament writers inherit the Hebrew concept of צַדִּיק (tsaddiq), a word describing one who walks in covenant faithfulness (Genesis 6:9; Deuteronomy 32:4). The Septuagint regularly renders that word with the Greek term under study, so when the Gospel writers call Joseph “righteous” (Matthew 1:19), they are invoking the ancestral memory of Noah, Job, and David—men declared upright by divine testimony. Christ as the Righteous One Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14; 1 Peter 3:18, and Revelation 16:5 gather around a single title: “the Righteous One.” He is the unique benchmark of justice, the One whom God vindicates at the resurrection (Romans 1:4). His righteousness is not merely exemplary but representative and substitutionary: “Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Forensic and Transformational Dimensions in Paul Paul cites Habakkuk twice: “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). In Romans 3:26 God is shown to be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Here the term highlights God’s impartial justice and His gracious declaration of believers as righteous through union with Christ. Yet Paul also uses the adjective ethically: “Just as through the obedience of the One, the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19), pointing to Spirit-empowered conformity to Christ. Ethical Instruction for the Church Ephesians 6:1 exhorts children to obey parents because “this is right.” Titus 1:8 lists “just” among the elder’s qualifications. James 5:6 rebukes those who condemn “the righteous man,” while James 5:16 promises that “the prayer of a righteous man has great power.” Thus the word regulates relationships at home, in leadership, in social justice, and in prayer. Portraits of Righteous Individuals • Joseph (Matthew 1:19) models mercy toward Mary. These narratives ground the abstract idea in concrete lives of obedience, humility, and courageous faith. Righteousness and Self-Righteousness in the Gospels Jesus repeatedly contrasts true righteousness with religious façade. He condemns those who “appear righteous to others, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:28). In Luke 18:9-14 the Pharisee trusts in his own righteousness, whereas the tax collector receives God’s mercy. John 7:24 commands, “Stop judging by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment”, calling for evaluation that aligns with divine standards. Johannine Epistles: Family Resemblance to the Father John views righteous conduct as evidence of new birth: “Everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him” (1 John 2:29). Conversely, “The one who practices sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:7-10). The word thus functions as a litmus test of authentic faith. Petrine Emphases 2 Peter pictures Lot’s anguish in Sodom, calling him both “a righteous man” (2 Peter 2:7) and describing his “righteous soul” (2 Peter 2:8). Peter warns that the “righteous are scarcely saved” (1 Peter 4:18), magnifying divine grace while urging perseverance. Revelation: Eschatological Vindication Heaven praises God: “Righteous are You…because You have brought these judgments” (Revelation 16:5). The adjective underscores that every end-time act of wrath or reward springs from perfect justice. In Revelation 19:2 the great multitude celebrates that “His judgments are true and just.” Ministry and Pastoral Application 1. Gospel preaching must present Christ as the only righteous substitute, exposing both human guilt and divine remedy (Romans 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Historical and Theological Reflections Early Fathers revered martyrs as “righteous,” echoing Hebrews 11. The Reformation recovered Paul’s emphasis on forensic justification, stressing that righteousness is imputed by faith alone. Contemporary scholarship may debate nuances, yet Scripture consistently holds together the declarative and transformative aspects, ensuring that grace produces holiness. Prayer and Worship Biblical praise extols the LORD’s righteousness (Psalm 145:17, LXX uses the same Greek word). New-covenant worship joins that chorus, affirming in song and prayer that God’s judgments are righteous and true, while petitioning that personal and corporate life reflect that same standard until righteous deeds “shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:19 Adj-NMSGRK: ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς δίκαιος ὢν καὶ NAS: being a righteous man and not wanting KJV: husband, being a just [man], and not INT: husband of her righteous being and Matthew 5:45 Adj-AMP Matthew 9:13 Adj-AMP Matthew 10:41 Adj-AMS Matthew 10:41 Adj-GMS Matthew 10:41 Adj-GMS Matthew 13:17 Adj-NMP Matthew 13:43 Adj-NMP Matthew 13:49 Adj-GMP Matthew 20:4 Adj-ANS Matthew 20:7 Adj-NNS Matthew 23:28 Adj-NMP Matthew 23:29 Adj-GMP Matthew 23:35 Adj-NNS Matthew 23:35 Adj-GMS Matthew 25:37 Adj-NMP Matthew 25:46 Adj-NMP Matthew 27:19 Adj-DMS Mark 2:17 Adj-AMP Mark 6:20 Adj-AMS Luke 1:6 Adj-NMP Luke 1:17 Adj-GMP Luke 2:25 Adj-NMS Luke 5:32 Adj-AMP Luke 12:57 Adj-ANS Strong's Greek 1342 |
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