Topical Bible: Righteousness: No Salvation by Works of

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The concept of righteousness in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the understanding of salvation and the role of faith versus works. The Scriptures consistently affirm that righteousness, in the context of salvation, is not achieved through human efforts or works but is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding righteousness as a divine attribute and a standard for human conduct. However, it also acknowledges the limitations of human efforts in achieving true righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This verse underscores the insufficiency of human works to attain the holiness required by God.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament further clarifies the doctrine of righteousness apart from works. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes that righteousness is imputed to believers through faith, not earned by works. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." This passage highlights the law's role in revealing sin rather than providing a means of salvation.

In Romans 4:5 , Paul writes, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." Here, faith is presented as the sole means by which righteousness is accounted to the believer, apart from any works.

Faith and Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9 further elucidates the relationship between faith, grace, and works: "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." Salvation is portrayed as a divine gift, received through faith, and not as a result of human effort, thus eliminating any grounds for boasting.

The Role of Works

While works are not the basis for salvation, they are the evidence of genuine faith. James 2:17 asserts, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This indicates that true faith will naturally produce works, not as a means of earning righteousness, but as a demonstration of the transformative power of faith in the believer's life.

Christ's Fulfillment of Righteousness

The life and work of Jesus Christ are central to the understanding of righteousness. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law on behalf of humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Through union with Christ, believers are clothed in His righteousness, which is the basis of their justification before God.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on righteousness underscores the futility of seeking salvation through human works. Instead, it points to faith in Jesus Christ as the means by which God's righteousness is imparted to believers, affirming the grace and mercy of God in the salvation of sinners.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 1:9
Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... Is there no meaning in its being said that ... us of procuring justifications or acquiring
salvation, but that ... of heaven, a partaker of righteousness, a possessor ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... And it is performed when in righteousness and holiness ... inference that our works are
the cause of salvation. ... adopted as sons, and obtained for no other cause ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.htm

Salvation by Faith
... But there is no glorying for him "that worketh not ... boast." For all our works, all
our righteousness, which were ... Neither is salvation of the works we do when we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

The Works of James Arminius, Vol. 1
... knowledge, by which they may be bought to salvation. ... power to believe, because there
was no necessity for ... ARTICLE XXIV (IV.) The Righteousness of Christ is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/

Refutation of the Calumnies by which it is Attempted to Throw ...
... not justified, and do not merit salvation by works ... is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification ... Christ, therefore, justifies no man without also ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 refutation of the.htm

Saved by Grace Alone.
... We must come and take salvation in God's way. ... the wardrobe of heaven, and brings
out the robe of righteousness. ... says again: "If by grace, then is it no more of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter ii saved by grace.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
... only begotten Son's person,"in his flesh, and all for this purpose, that the law
might be no loser by our salvation, "that the righteousness of the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv that the righteousness.htm

On Predestination to Salvation, and on Damnation Considered in the ...
... in the upright state of original righteousness;" (Gomarus, in ... made the decree itself
of predestination to salvation.16 ... No small injury is inflicted on Christ as ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/on predestination to salvation and.htm

Its Basis
... be that one so completely devoid of righteousness as I ... meritorious or efficacious
cause of his salvation, and that ... First, no provision is made for his previous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

God's Workmanship and Our Works
... warm morning air of the sun of righteousness, with healing ... and low notions of the
essentials of salvation which one ... It is no mere immunity from a future hell. ...
/.../gods workmanship and our works.htm