Righteous: Members of the Body
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The concept of righteousness in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the identity and function of believers as members of the body of Christ. Righteousness, in its biblical sense, refers to the state of being morally right or justifiable before God. It is both a gift from God and a calling for believers to live in accordance with His will.

Righteousness as a Gift and Calling

Righteousness is first and foremost a gift from God, imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in Romans 3:22, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." This righteousness is not earned by human effort but is granted by God's grace, enabling believers to stand justified before Him.

As members of the body of Christ, believers are called to live out this righteousness in their daily lives. Ephesians 4:24 instructs, "and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This new self is a reflection of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in a manner that honors God.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

The metaphor of the body of Christ illustrates the unity and diversity among believers, each contributing to the overall function and health of the body. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink."

This unity in diversity is essential for the manifestation of righteousness within the community of believers. Each member, endowed with unique gifts and roles, is called to exercise their function in love and service to one another, thereby promoting the righteousness of the entire body.

Living as Righteous Members

Living as righteous members of the body involves a commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commandments. Romans 6:13 exhorts believers, "Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness."

This call to righteousness is not merely individual but communal. Believers are to encourage and edify one another, fostering an environment where righteousness can flourish. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

The Role of Love in Righteousness

Love is the binding force that enables the body of Christ to function in righteousness. Colossians 3:14 states, "And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Love motivates believers to act selflessly, seeking the welfare of others above their own, and thus fulfilling the law of Christ.

In summary, righteousness for members of the body of Christ is both a divine gift and a communal responsibility. It is lived out through unity, diversity, holiness, obedience, and love, reflecting the character of God and advancing His kingdom on earth.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Corinthians 12:20,27
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Man's Disobedience Justly Requited in the Rebellion of his Own ...
... he began to have another law in his members which was ... disobedience of his flesh a
most righteous retribution recoiling ... by his servant, that is, his body, to him ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 vi mans disobedience justly.htm

As to the Charge that they Bring against Us...
... But in this world no one is righteous by his own righteousness,"that is ... he goes on
to add the following: "For as we have many members in one body, and all ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 9 35 as.htm

When Christ visited us in his Grace, He did not Come to what did ...
... of another, but taking possession of His own in a righteous and gracious ... declares
in his Epistle to the Ephesians, that "we are members of His body, of His ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii when christ visited us.htm

Of the Fact that the Mystery of a Mediator was Made Known to those ...
... might be temporal on the side of those lowest objects, but also righteous on the ...
all His disciples in the relation of the head to the members of His body. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxv of the fact that.htm

Let us Cleave to the Righteous: Your Strife is Pernicious.
... us cleave, therefore, to the innocent and righteous, since these ... divide and tear
to pieces the members of Christ ... raise up strife against our own body, and have ...
/.../chapter xlvi let us cleave to.htm

Let us Cleave to the Righteous: Your Strife is Pernicious.
... us cleave, therefore, to the innocent and righteous, since these ... divide and tear
in pieces the members of Christ ... raise up strife against our own body, and have ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xlvi let us cleave to.htm

On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers.
... wicked for gifts, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him ... For if
such men as are born with superfluous members of their body, which hang to ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v on accusations and the.htm

O Thou who Art Made Priest after Thy Master, the Illustrious after ...
... watch tower is the head unto the members, for on ... In face of trial Job trained his
body and his ... hand; zealous against him was the righteous husbandman, stopped ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xviii o thou who.htm

Concupiscence Need not have Been Necessary for Fruitfulness.
... if the generative organs of our body were compliant ... violate natural order, and by
a righteous retribution are ... with the intractability of these members and organs ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 53 xxxi concupiscence need not.htm

Jod.
... I know," she saith, "O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that ... here, "that
I be not ashamed." The heart then of the members and the body of Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/jod.htm

Resources
What does it mean to be overrighteous and overwise (Ecclesiastes 7:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What is justification? What does it mean to be justified? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org

Righteous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Righteous

Righteous: Access of, to God

Righteous: Babies

Righteous: Branches of a Vine

Righteous: Calves of the Stall

Righteous: Cedars in Lebanon

Righteous: Corn (Grain)

Righteous: Described

Righteous: Dew and Showers

Righteous: Doves

Righteous: Eagles

Righteous: Few

Righteous: Fruitful Trees

Righteous: Gold

Righteous: Good Figs

Righteous: Good Fish

Righteous: Good Servants

Righteous: Green Olive Trees

Righteous: Jewels

Righteous: Lambs

Righteous: Lebanon

Righteous: Lights

Righteous: Lilies

Righteous: Lions

Righteous: Little Children

Righteous: Living Stones

Righteous: Members of the Body

Righteous: Mount Zion

Righteous: Obedient Children

Righteous: Palm Trees

Righteous: Pomegranates

Righteous: Promises To, Expressed or Implied

Righteous: Relation of, to God

Righteous: Righteous and Wicked, Circumstances of, Contrasted

Righteous: Runners in a Race

Righteous: Salt

Righteous: Sheep

Righteous: Soldiers

Righteous: Stars

Righteous: Stones of a Crown

Righteous: Strangers and Pilgrims

Righteous: The Sun

Righteous: Thirsting Deer

Righteous: Treasure

Righteous: Trees Planted Beside Rivers

Righteous: Unfailing Springs

Righteous: Unity of, With Christ

Righteous: Vessels of Gold and Silver

Righteous: Vines

Righteous: Watered Gardens

Righteous: Wheat

Righteous: Willows by the Water Courses

Righteous: Wrestlers

Select Readings: The Righteous and the Wicked in Contrast

Related Terms

Over-righteous (1 Occurrence)

Perversity (23 Occurrences)

Declaring (48 Occurrences)

Actions (62 Occurrences)

Commits (39 Occurrences)

Anger (387 Occurrences)

Merely (30 Occurrences)

Murdered (25 Occurrences)

Perishes (14 Occurrences)

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Declared (261 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Blameless (81 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Zadok (50 Occurrences)

Encompass (20 Occurrences)

Dare (19 Occurrences)

Pronounced (63 Occurrences)

Practices (80 Occurrences)

Prophet's (22 Occurrences)

Perisheth (15 Occurrences)

Practiseth (4 Occurrences)

Practises (9 Occurrences)

Pursues (15 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Condemning (6 Occurrences)

Abraham's (34 Occurrences)

Anyone (514 Occurrences)

Self-righteousness

Stedfastness (17 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Sweep (34 Occurrences)

Consume (136 Occurrences)

Committeth (22 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Slay (189 Occurrences)

Sinners (132 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Spare (80 Occurrences)

Paradise (6 Occurrences)

Plea (35 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Sinner (88 Occurrences)

Condemn (43 Occurrences)

Spies (22 Occurrences)

Prosperity (66 Occurrences)

Alike (67 Occurrences)

Suppose (47 Occurrences)

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Surround (39 Occurrences)

Killed (352 Occurrences)

Sure (142 Occurrences)

Branch (60 Occurrences)

Destroy (379 Occurrences)

Saving (37 Occurrences)

Concerned (45 Occurrences)

Shaken (62 Occurrences)

Condemned (49 Occurrences)

Believing (84 Occurrences)

Appointed (385 Occurrences)

Man's (347 Occurrences)

Begging (18 Occurrences)

Death (1610 Occurrences)

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)

Deal (170 Occurrences)

Vexed (37 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Exist (24 Occurrences)

Effectual (8 Occurrences)

Existence (35 Occurrences)

Disturbance (7 Occurrences)

Dishonest (33 Occurrences)

Deceives (14 Occurrences)

Disobeys (4 Occurrences)

Delivers (38 Occurrences)

Righteous: Living Stones
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