Topical Bible: Righteousness: No Justification by Works of

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the state of being morally right or justifiable before God. The doctrine of righteousness is central to Christian theology, particularly in understanding the means by which individuals are justified or made right with God. A key tenet of this doctrine is the belief that righteousness cannot be achieved through human works or efforts but is granted by God through faith.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, articulates the principle that righteousness is not attained by works but through faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 3:20, Paul writes, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." This verse underscores the insufficiency of the law to produce righteousness, as it serves primarily to reveal human sinfulness.

Further, in Galatians 2:16, Paul emphasizes, "know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Here, Paul contrasts the works of the law with faith in Christ, affirming that justification comes solely through faith.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which believers receive righteousness. In Romans 4:5, Paul states, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." This passage highlights that it is not through human effort but through belief in God’s promise that one is deemed righteous.

The example of Abraham is frequently cited to illustrate this principle. Romans 4:3 recounts, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham’s faith, rather than his works, was the basis of his righteousness, setting a precedent for all who would follow.

Grace and the Gift of Righteousness

Righteousness is described as a gift from God, bestowed through His grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage emphasizes that salvation and righteousness are acts of divine grace, eliminating any grounds for human boasting.

The Role of Works

While works are not the basis for justification, they are the evidence of genuine faith. James 2:26 states, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." This indicates that true faith will naturally produce good works, not as a means to earn righteousness, but as a demonstration of the righteousness already received through faith.

Conclusion

The doctrine of righteousness apart from works is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation. It affirms that human efforts are insufficient for justification, which is granted solely through faith in Jesus Christ. This belief underscores the grace of God and the transformative power of faith, which leads to a life characterized by good works as a reflection of the righteousness received.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:31,32
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... How Christ is our righteousness. ... Above we have clearly shown that justification by
works consists only ... fulfillment of the law, and that, therefore, no man is ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... like all other promises, will be of no avail unless it ... Being thus excluded from the
righteousness of the law ... by its own merit procure our justification, and did ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.htm

On Justification
... and imputes faith to us for righteousness; that is ... contrariety, so that between these
two no medium can ... faith and works concur together to justification, is a ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xlviii on justification.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... fiction of a partial righteousness, the only righteousness acknowledged in ... having
so often declared that he recognizes no justification by works unless they ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

Justification by Faith
... are without?" "whatsoever good works (so accounted ... is the "necessary" condition of
justification; yea, and ... for righteousness." He hath no righteousness at all ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 5 justification by faith.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... be which he has performed, he will receive no sentence of justification from God ...
of his mercy and pity graciously account for righteousness the whole ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm

Concerning Justification.
... [489] That no impure works are useful to justification is confessed; but ... are as filthy
rags, yet that will not comprehend the righteousness of Christ in ...
/.../proposition vii concerning justification.htm

Certainty of Our Justification.
... in this justification by good works that priority ... to me the perfect satisfaction,
righteousness, and holiness ... for then there would be no justification on God's ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii certainty of our justification.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... Besides, where sin is real, there can be no perfect righteousness; but the way of
justification must be through perfect righteousness, therefore by ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Justification
... If they are justified they are elected; and they can no more fall from ... as well look
for a star in the earth as for justification in our own righteousness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 justification.htm