Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just dealings with humanity. God's righteousness is not merely an abstract attribute but is actively demonstrated through His Word, which serves as a revelation of His character and His will for creation.
Old Testament FoundationsIn the Old Testament, the righteousness of God is closely linked with His covenantal faithfulness and His role as the ultimate judge. The Hebrew word often translated as "righteousness" is
tsedaqah, which encompasses justice, rightness, and faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "The Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the consistency and fairness of God's actions, which are rooted in His righteous nature.
The Psalms frequently celebrate God's righteousness, portraying it as a source of hope and deliverance for His people. Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." Here, God's righteousness is associated with His love for justice and His promise of fellowship with the upright.
Prophetic Literature
The prophets also emphasize God's righteousness, often in the context of His judgment and salvation. Isaiah 45:21-22 proclaims, "And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." This passage highlights God's unique position as both a righteous judge and a merciful savior, inviting all nations to recognize His sovereignty and seek His salvation.
New Testament Revelation
In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek term dikaiosyne is used to describe God's righteousness, which is manifested in the gospel. Romans 1:16-17 states, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
The apostle Paul elaborates on this theme, explaining that God's righteousness is imputed to believers through faith in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, he writes, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This profound exchange underscores the transformative power of God's righteousness, which justifies and sanctifies those who trust in Christ.
The Role of Scripture
Scripture itself is a testament to God's righteousness, providing guidance and instruction for righteous living. Psalm 119:142 affirms, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is true." The Word of God is portrayed as a reliable and enduring source of truth, reflecting His righteous standards and offering wisdom for those who seek to align their lives with His will.
Moreover, the righteousness of God as revealed in His Word calls believers to a life of obedience and holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is rooted in the character of God, whose righteousness serves as the ultimate model for Christian conduct.
Conclusion
The righteousness of God, as exhibited in His Word, is a foundational aspect of His divine nature and His relationship with humanity. Through the Scriptures, God reveals His righteous character, His just actions, and His redemptive plan for the world, inviting all to partake in His righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 119:123
My eyes fail for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to all the Gods ...
... in other respects, is not obscurely exhibited in the ... form, even for eternal destruction:
Righteousness, by which ... furnished with the means of glorying in God. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 in scripture the.htm
The Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It.
... unless we dedicate and devote ourselves to righteousness, we not ... Ever since God
exhibited himself to us as a Father ... do not in turn exhibit ourselves as his sons ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 the life of.htm
Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It.
... we dedicate and devote ourselves to righteousness, we not ... Ever since God exhibited
himself to us as a Father ... cannot divide the matter with God, undertaking part ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sergieff/on the christian life/chapter i life of a.htm
Book 2
... 22. Christ is exhibited to men by the Law and by the Gospel ... Christ is God and man:
God, that he may bestow on his people righteousness, sanctification, and ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 2.htm
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, "After Six Days Jesus ...
... expresses this; "For by the Law is the knowledge of sin; but now the righteousness
of God ... See then in the Church is exhibited to us the Kingdom of God. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxviii on the words.htm
A Dialogue with God
... The poison-water is exhibited in many variously coloured and ... the triumphant knowledge
of Christ's righteousness as ours ... truly learned the love of God, and truly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god.htm
His Gospel
... God, in which the divine nature was exhibited in a ... it; but it is doing, not knowing,
which is righteousness. ... they, then, fulfilled the will of God, which they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm
Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... Thou because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness." [4302] And ... as Immanuel,
[born] of the Virgin, exhibited the union of the Word of God with His ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm
On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... eternal life was promised through the imputation of the righteousness of faith ... the
fathers in the prophetical scriptures, and whom God has exhibited in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm
Appendix 2 the Case of Adam
... Though nothing contrary to holiness and righteousness can ever emanate from God,
yet He has ... How could the grace of God have been exhibited in pardoning it? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/appendix 2 the case of.htm
Resources
What does it mean that “righteousness and peace kiss each other” in Psalm 85:10? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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