Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Jews: Ignorant of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of biblical theology, the concept of "righteousness imputed" refers to the belief that righteousness is credited to an individual by faith, rather than through personal merit or adherence to the law. This doctrine is central to the teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly in his epistles to the Romans and the Galatians, where he contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law with the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Context

The Jewish people, as recipients of the Mosaic Law, were deeply committed to the observance of the commandments and statutes given by God. However, the New Testament reveals that many Jews were unaware of the righteousness that comes from God through faith, as they sought to establish their own righteousness through the law.

Romans 10:1-4 : "Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes."

In this passage, Paul expresses his deep concern for his fellow Israelites, acknowledging their zeal for God but pointing out their lack of understanding regarding the righteousness that comes from God. Their ignorance led them to rely on their own efforts to achieve righteousness, rather than accepting the righteousness that is imputed through faith in Christ.

The Role of the Law

The law was given to the Jewish people as a guide and a means to reveal sin (Romans 3:20). However, it was never intended to be the ultimate means of achieving righteousness. Paul argues that the law serves to point individuals to Christ, who fulfills the law and offers righteousness to all who believe.

Galatians 3:24 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

The Jews' ignorance of imputed righteousness is not due to a lack of revelation but rather a misunderstanding of the purpose of the law. The law was a tutor, leading them to the Messiah, who would provide the righteousness they sought.

The Stumbling Block

The concept of righteousness imputed through faith in Christ was a stumbling block for many Jews, as it challenged their traditional understanding of righteousness based on the law.

Romans 9:30-32 : "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone."

The "stumbling stone" refers to Christ Himself, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the law and provided a new way of righteousness through faith. The Jews' reliance on the law and their own works prevented many from recognizing and accepting this new covenant of grace.

Conclusion

The ignorance of the Jews regarding imputed righteousness highlights the tension between law and grace, works and faith. While the law was a significant part of their identity and relationship with God, it ultimately pointed to the need for a Savior who would offer true righteousness through faith. This doctrine remains a cornerstone of Christian theology, emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and the necessity of faith for salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Righteousness of Faith
... immortality" were not so "brought to light" to the Jews of old ... be the father of all
them that believe, " that righteousness might be imputed unto them ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... both good things and bad may sometimes be imputed to men ... the curse of God is due,
that man wanteth righteousness. ... This thought kept me ignorant of Jesus, and of ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

The Power of Christ's Resurrection
... though it was believed by most of the Jews, as is ... But they were illiterate and ignorant
men." Yet ... no service to have had his outward righteousness imputed to us ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the power of christs resurrection.htm

Its Basis
... epistle refers not to the essential righteousness of the ... character, for that cannot
possibly be imputed or legally ... told in 10:3 that the Jews were "ignorant of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

The Wedding Garment
... No one ever had the imputed righteousness of Christ without receiving at ... a man is
not saved by the righteousness of Christ ... of old, you say you are Jews and are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

The Glorious Gospel
... Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," this man ... of which the devil himself was ignorant
until they ... old sins pardoned, and to have righteousness imputed; to have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the glorious gospel.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... in his Epistle to the Romans concerning the unbelieving Jews, saith, "They ... of God's
righteousness," not only of the righteousness of Christ, imputed to every ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 29 upon our lords.htm

The Negative Side
... God gave them the equivalent of what He gave the Jews, namely, a ... of the Epistle which
treats of the results of Divine righteousness being imputed to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... does Paul speak concerning the righteousness of all the Jews and pious ... Christ, for
whose sake, without any merit on our part, righteousness is imputed to us ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... object in so expressing himself being to convince the Jews, that in ... Romans, he proves,
by the testimony of David, that righteousness is imputed without works ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm