The concept of the "Garment of Righteousness" is a metaphorical expression found within the Christian Scriptures, symbolizing the righteousness bestowed upon believers through faith in Jesus Christ. This imagery is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is often associated with themes of salvation, sanctification, and divine grace.

Old Testament Foundations

The idea of clothing as a symbol of righteousness can be traced back to the Old Testament. In Genesis 3:21, after the fall of man, God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve, covering their nakedness. This act of divine provision foreshadows the covering of sin through a sacrificial system, ultimately pointing to the righteousness provided by Christ.

Isaiah 61:10 is a pivotal verse that explicitly uses the imagery of garments to describe salvation and righteousness: "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Here, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time when God will clothe His people with righteousness, a promise fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the metaphor of the garment of righteousness is further developed, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 13:14, Paul exhorts believers to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." This passage emphasizes the transformative aspect of putting on Christ, which involves adopting His righteousness and living in accordance with His teachings.

The Apostle Paul also writes in Galatians 3:27, "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." This verse highlights the believer's identification with Christ through baptism, symbolizing the putting on of His righteousness.

Theological Significance

The garment of righteousness is not a result of human effort or merit but is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. This is underscored in Philippians 3:9, where Paul expresses his desire to "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."

The concept is also vividly illustrated in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14), where the king provides wedding garments for his guests. The garment represents the righteousness required to enter the kingdom of heaven, which is freely given by the king, symbolizing God's provision through Christ.

Practical Implications

For believers, the garment of righteousness signifies a new identity in Christ. It calls for a life of holiness and obedience, reflecting the character of Jesus. Colossians 3:12-14 encourages believers to "put on" virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, which are manifestations of the righteousness they have received.

The garment of righteousness also serves as a reminder of the believer's eternal hope. Revelation 19:8 describes the bride of Christ, the Church, as being given "fine linen, bright and clean," representing "the righteous acts of the saints." This eschatological vision underscores the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to clothe His people in righteousness, preparing them for eternal communion with Him.

In summary, the garment of righteousness is a profound biblical metaphor that encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith: the imputed righteousness of Christ, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life with God.Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
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Matthew 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
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2 Corinthians 5:3
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
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Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
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Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
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Revelation 19:8
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
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"Grief, Like a Garment, Cloth'd Me Round, "And Sackcloth was My ...
... 7 "Grief, like a garment, cloth'd me round, "And sackcloth was my dress,
"While I procur'd for naked souls "A robe of righteousness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/7 grief like a garment.htm

On the Wedding Garment
... 10. Does not that expression, "the righteousness of the saints," point out
what is the "wedding garment" in the parable? It is the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 120 on the wedding.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... Our part then is, never to put off the garment of righteousness, which also the
Prophet calls, "the garment of salvation" (Isaiah 61:10.), that so we may be ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

The Wedding Garment
... Spirit. They refuse to put on the garment of obedience, they reject the
white linen which is the righteousness of saints. They thus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

The Day of Blood at Prague.
... He bade his friends farewell. "I go," he declared, "in the garment of
righteousness; thus arrayed shall I appear before God.". Alone ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xv the day of.htm

Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... You could get that without selling your garment. ... It means the power of arms dedicated
to the service of righteousness without which the world can never be safe ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/ii peace on earth through.htm

Do You Know Him?
... They tell me that he clothes the naked; he hath covered me with a garment
of righteousness, and to that extent I know him. They ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/do you know him.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... He had a human righteousness; your garments are divine. He had a robe complete,
it is true, but the earth had woven it. You have a garment as complete, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

Of the Kingdom of the Soul
... The left side of the garment should be a cardinal virtue called moral force ... king,
free-will, should also appoint in his kingdom a judge: that is, righteousness. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxiv of the kingdom.htm

The New Man
... nature which is not cleansed by His priestly hand laid upon it remains leprous,
and he who is clothed with any other garment than His righteousness will find ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the new man.htm

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