Topical Bible: Righteousness: The Scriptures Instruct In

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, a central theme in the Bible, is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. It is a state of moral purity or correctness that is in alignment with God's standards. The Scriptures provide comprehensive instruction on righteousness, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer and its role in the relationship between God and humanity.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of righteousness is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. It is often associated with God's character and His covenant with His people. In Genesis 15:6, we see the foundational example of Abraham: "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This verse highlights the principle that righteousness is accounted through faith.

The Law, given to Moses, serves as a guide for righteous living. Deuteronomy 6:25 states, "And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness." Here, righteousness is linked to obedience to God's commandments.

The Psalms and Proverbs frequently address righteousness, portraying it as a path to blessing and favor from God. Psalm 1:6 declares, "For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Proverbs 21:21 adds, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor."

Prophetic Insights

The prophets also speak extensively about righteousness, often calling Israel back to righteous living. Isaiah 1:17 urges, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." This call to social justice is a reflection of God's righteous character.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 prophesies about the coming Messiah, "The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, righteousness is fulfilled and personified in Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:6 records Jesus' words, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude underscores the deep longing for righteousness that characterizes the followers of Christ.

Pauline theology further develops the concept of righteousness, particularly in the context of justification by faith. Romans 3:22-24 explains, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

The apostle Paul also emphasizes the transformative aspect of righteousness in the believer's life. In Ephesians 4:24, he instructs, "And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Practical Application

The Scriptures instruct believers to actively pursue righteousness in their daily lives. 1 Timothy 6:11 exhorts, "But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." This pursuit is not merely a personal endeavor but is to be reflected in one's conduct and relationships.

James 1:20-22 provides practical guidance, "For man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves."

Eschatological Hope

The Bible also presents an eschatological dimension to righteousness. Believers look forward to the ultimate realization of righteousness in the new heavens and new earth. 2 Peter 3:13 assures, "But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."

In summary, the Scriptures instruct in righteousness by revealing God's righteous nature, providing laws and teachings for righteous living, and ultimately fulfilling righteousness through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to pursue righteousness as a reflection of their faith and hope in God's eternal promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the First and Last Times of the World.
... immortalized by their merits, inasmuch as they possessed neither righteousness nor
any ... But we, whom the Holy Scriptures instruct to the knowledge of the truth ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the first and.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... we call one act necessary to righteousness and salvation ... for without it he can
abundantly instruct the mind of man. ... his own church without the Scriptures by the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 3 on the sufficiency.htm

Apollos at Corinth
... He had been obliged to instruct them as those ... spiritual and immortal life as revealed
in the Scriptures. ... from worldliness and sin to purity and righteousness. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 26 apollos at corinth.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness." That is ... to be ordained,
"Are you determined, out of the Scriptures, to instruct the people ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... He declares that when the Scriptures instruct and perfect ... book, he says, but the
Scriptures, teaches {216 ... expression to Divine love and righteousness," we must ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Different Degrees of Knowledge.
... resembling the way in which we instruct plain people ... divine righteousness; [3435]
for the righteousness of the ... For many reasons, then, the Scriptures hide the ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xv different degrees of knowledge.htm

All the Principles of Piety Subverted by Fanatics, who Substitute ...
... reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the ... own wisdom,
but that they were to understand the Scriptures. ... Vide Calvin in Instruct. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 all the principles.htm

Baptists.
... and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to ... of men, in heaven or hell,
on principles of righteousness. ... but first to examine and instruct them, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/baptists.htm

The Gift of the Spirit
... to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures. ... the mind the standard
of righteousness, the Holy ... gave His "good Spirit to instruct them." Nehemiah ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

Spiritualism.
... to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living ... overlook the testimony of the
Scriptures concerning the ... Thus, in place of the righteousness and perfection of ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm