Waiting for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith
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The phrase "waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith" is rooted in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly in his epistle to the Galatians. This concept encapsulates the Christian anticipation of ultimate salvation and righteousness, which is received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through adherence to the Law.

Biblical Context

In Galatians 5:5, Paul writes, "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness." This verse is situated within a broader discussion contrasting the works of the Law with the life of faith. Paul emphasizes that righteousness cannot be achieved through human effort or legalistic observance but is a gift from God, realized through faith in Christ.

Theological Significance

The "hope of righteousness" refers to the future aspect of salvation, where believers anticipate the full realization of their righteous standing before God. This hope is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on the promises of God. It is grounded in the completed work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection, which assures believers of their justification and future glorification.

Faith and the Spirit

Paul underscores that this hope is accessed "through the Spirit." The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's life, being the agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Spirit empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will, producing the fruit of righteousness in their lives as they await the consummation of their salvation.

Contrast with the Law

The Galatian context reveals a tension between the Judaizers, who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for righteousness, and Paul's gospel of grace. Paul argues that reliance on the Law nullifies the grace of Christ. In Galatians 2:21, he states, "I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died for nothing." Thus, waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith is a rejection of legalism and an embrace of the grace offered through Christ.

Practical Implications

For the believer, waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith involves a life of active trust in God. It is characterized by patience, perseverance, and a forward-looking perspective that shapes one's conduct and priorities. This hope encourages believers to live holy lives, motivated by the assurance of their future inheritance.

Related Scriptures

Several other passages in the New Testament echo this theme of hope and righteousness by faith. Romans 8:24-25 speaks of hope in the context of salvation: "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." Similarly, Philippians 3:9 highlights the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Conclusion

The concept of waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith is central to the Christian doctrine of salvation. It affirms that righteousness is a divine gift, received through faith, and anticipates the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive promises. This hope sustains believers as they navigate the challenges of the present world, looking forward to the day when they will be fully conformed to the image of Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
Galatians 5:5
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Baptism Puts Away all Sins, but it Does not at once Heal all ...
... of regeneration, but moreover by the righteousness of that ... we ought now patiently
to be waiting for as ... by its means indeed, but yet hereafter, cuts off hope. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 5 baptism puts away all.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... city)[4] +we are actually+ (kai) +waiting for, as our ... is the present joy, and the
everlasting hope. His perfected righteousness is the believer's actual deep ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... all that must lie on Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness; and our ... and leave it
on him, who is our strength, patiently waiting for the outgate, in hope. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm

A Word to Workers
... from grace." "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith ...
so that your whole life shall be a tender, broken-hearted waiting on God ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vii a word to workers.htm

The Hope of the Universe.
... The whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of ... the seeming apostle's affected
rhapsody of hope be to ... greed of knowing casts out righteousness, and mercy ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/the hope of the universe.htm

The Obedience of Faith
... riches of the glory of our inheritance' waiting upon the ... Many wait and hope and never
possess because they ... He the righteous One is your righteousness, He the ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vi the obedience of faith.htm

Faith and Acceptance
... He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained ... put upon them the white robes
of righteousness; He bids ... desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 6 faith and acceptance.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... as the ground on which he could hope for pardon. ... This is nothing but self-righteousness
and unbelief ... All your waiting and groaning will not bring you any nearer ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
... Faith bridges over the chasm between hope and the things ... Is faith the inner life
of righteousness? ... of things that appear." We catch ourselves waiting till he ...
/.../chapter x faith an assurance.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... for there is nothing like being kept waiting upon God ... I would willingly hope you
even prevent me here, and ... enabled to lay hold on Christ's righteousness by faith ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Resources
What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org

What is absurdism? | GotQuestions.org

In the Song of Solomon, why is it said that we shouldn't awaken love until it pleases? | GotQuestions.org

Waiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Waiting

Waiting for Guidance and Teaching

Waiting for Mercy

Waiting for Pardon

Waiting for Protection

Waiting for Salvation

Waiting for the Coming of Christ

Waiting for the Consolation of Israel

Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Promises

Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Word

Waiting for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith

Waiting in the Way of his Judgments

Waiting is Good

Waiting on God

Waiting Upon God is Good

Waiting Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings

Waiting Upon God: As the God of Providence

Waiting Upon God: As the God of Salvation

Waiting Upon God: David

Waiting Upon God: Exhortations and Encouragements To

Waiting Upon God: For: Coming of Christ

Waiting Upon God: For: Guidance and Teaching

Waiting Upon God: For: Hope of Righteous by Faith

Waiting Upon God: For: Mercy

Waiting Upon God: For: Pardon

Waiting Upon God: For: Protection

Waiting Upon God: For: Salvation

Waiting Upon God: For: The Consolation of Israel

Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Promises

Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Word

Waiting Upon God: God Calls Us To

Waiting Upon God: Hannah

Waiting Upon God: Illustrated

Waiting Upon God: Isaiah

Waiting Upon God: Jacob

Waiting Upon God: Joseph

Waiting Upon God: Micah

Waiting Upon God: Predicted of the Gentiles

Waiting Upon God: Saints Have Expectation From

Waiting Upon God: Saints Plead, in Prayer

Waiting Upon God: Saints Resolve On

Waiting Upon God: should be all the Day

Waiting Upon God: should be Continually

Waiting Upon God: should be in the Way of his Judgments

Waiting Upon God: should be Specially in Adversity

Waiting Upon God: should Be with Earnest Desire

Waiting Upon God: should Be with Full Confidence

Waiting Upon God: should Be with Hope in his Word

Waiting Upon God: should Be with Patience

Waiting Upon God: should Be with Resignation

Waiting Upon God: should Be with the Soul

Waiting Upon God: The Patience of Saints often Tried In

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Blessed

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Heard

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Experience his Goodness

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall be Saved

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Inherit the Earth

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall not be Ashamed

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Rejoice in Salvation

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Renew Their Strength

Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only

Waiting with Earnest Desire

Waiting with Full Confidence

Waiting with Hope in his Word

Waiting with Patience

Waiting with Resignation

Waiting: All the Day

Waiting: Continually

Waiting: David

Waiting: Especially in Adversity

Waiting: Exhortations and Encouragements To

Waiting: God Calls Us To

Waiting: Illustrated

Waiting: Isaiah

Waiting: Jacob

Waiting: Joseph

Waiting: Micah

Waiting: Predicted of the Gentiles

Waiting: Saints Have Expectation From

Waiting: Saints Plead, in Prayer

Waiting: Saints Resolve On

Waiting: should be With the Soul

Waiting: The Patience of Saints often Tested In

Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed

Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Heard

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will be Saved

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Rejoice in Salvation

Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Renew Their Strength

Waiting: Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings

Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Providence

Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Salvation

Related Terms

Waiting-woman (2 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)

Treading (26 Occurrences)

Await (12 Occurrences)

Servant-girl (18 Occurrences)

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)

Rains (16 Occurrences)

Meanwhile (38 Occurrences)

Coastlands (29 Occurrences)

Calmly (3 Occurrences)

Sea-lands (24 Occurrences)

Waited (72 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Ambush (39 Occurrences)

Tired (51 Occurrences)

Weariness (44 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Girl (71 Occurrences)

Lurks (3 Occurrences)

Longing (40 Occurrences)

Wine-servants (2 Occurrences)

Waylay (3 Occurrences)

Thenceforth (11 Occurrences)

Expectantly (6 Occurrences)

Expectant (1 Occurrence)

Delilah (7 Occurrences)

Busy (13 Occurrences)

Bethesda (1 Occurrence)

Blessedness (6 Occurrences)

Attendance (12 Occurrences)

Assist (17 Occurrences)

Seating (10 Occurrences)

Spaces (15 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Quiet (167 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

Areopagus (3 Occurrences)

Leaving (80 Occurrences)

Opinion (91 Occurrences)

Desiring (108 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Recorded (141 Occurrences)

Searching (111 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Strength (517 Occurrences)

Designs (118 Occurrences)

Star (16 Occurrences)

Existence (35 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Friends (152 Occurrences)

Cords (80 Occurrences)

Idea (64 Occurrences)

Working (205 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Moving (117 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Fearing (107 Occurrences)

Walled (63 Occurrences)

Cease (138 Occurrences)

Example (54 Occurrences)

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Room (174 Occurrences)

Pulling (57 Occurrences)

Waits (21 Occurrences)

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Guided (86 Occurrences)

Heritage (435 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Delay (47 Occurrences)

Result (73 Occurrences)

Weep (97 Occurrences)

Gives (542 Occurrences)

Slow (43 Occurrences)

Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Word
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