Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Jews: Submit not To

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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 their own works 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 historically committed to a covenantal relationship with God that emphasized obedience to the law as a means of maintaining righteousness. However, the New Testament presents a shift in understanding righteousness, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who emphasized faith as the means by which righteousness is imputed to believers.

Pauline Epistles

In Romans 9:30-32 , Paul addresses the issue of the Jews not submitting to the righteousness that comes from faith: "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."

Paul argues that the Jews, in their zeal for the law, failed to recognize the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. Instead, they sought to establish their own righteousness through adherence to the law, missing the essence of the gospel message that righteousness is a gift from God, imputed to those who believe.

Galatians and the Law

In Galatians 2:16 , Paul further elaborates on this theme: "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 emphasizes that justification, or being declared righteous before God, is not achieved through the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. This was a radical departure from the traditional Jewish understanding and was a point of contention between Paul and those who insisted on the necessity of the law for righteousness.

The Stumbling Block

The concept of Jesus as the "stumbling stone" is significant in understanding why the Jews did not submit to the righteousness imputed by faith. In Romans 9:33 , Paul quotes Isaiah: "As it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Jesus, as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, became a stumbling block for many Jews who could not reconcile their expectations of the Messiah with the person and work of Jesus. The insistence on a righteousness based on the law blinded them to the righteousness that God was offering through faith in Christ.

Conclusion

The Jewish resistance to the concept of imputed righteousness through faith highlights the tension between law and grace, works and faith, that is central to the New Testament narrative. The apostolic teaching underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ, which transcends the limitations of the law and offers a new way of understanding righteousness as a divine gift rather than a human achievement.

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

His Gospel
... the children of men"not for the Jews only, but ... he believed God, and it was imputed
unto him ... a spiritual nature, akin to God and delighting in righteousness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... because it was itself an act of righteousness, and because ... holiness of heart and
life, and is imputed to the ... was combating the error of the Jews, who expected ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... dead body, his merit would have been imputed to them ... the letter of the Law; the
self-righteousness, and pride ... surround and command Jerusalem and the Jews on all ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... Me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go ... Because of the imputed righteousness
of Christ they are accounted ... the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm

The Wise and Foolish virgins
... prevailing in our Lord's time among the Jews, at marriage ... Where is my outward
righteousness imputed to you ... You will not own and submit to his righteousness; and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the wise and foolish virgins.htm

The Negative Side
... results of Divine righteousness being imputed to the ... With Christ before us legal
righteousness is necessarily ... not submitting to Christ, the Jews were refusing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.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

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... to the Romans concerning the unbelieving Jews, saith, "They ... of the righteousness
of Christ, imputed to every ... to establish that outside righteousness which might ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 29 upon our lords.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... as it is said of the Jews, they had a ... according to knowledge, because they did not
submit unto the ... Imputed righteousness comes in as a covering over the man's ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm