📖 Biblical Definition of Righteousness
Righteousness = conformity to God’s standard — His will, His law, His character, and His ways.
A. What is “Righteousness”?
Hebrew: צְדָקָה (tsedaqah) — justice, rightness, doing what is just and right in God’s sight.
Greek: δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē) — being in proper relationship with God, demonstrated by just conduct, obedience, and faith.
Righteousness is not self-defined or merely outward — it is measured by God’s standards.
B. Key Principles (with verses)
1) Righteousness is obedience to God’s commands
- Deuteronomy 6:25 — “Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.”
- Psalm 119:172 — “My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.”
2) Righteousness is internalized when God’s law is in our heart
- Isaiah 51:7 — “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law.”
- Psalm 40:8 — “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
3) Righteousness includes reverence and trust in God
- Psalm 19:9 — “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
- Proverbs 21:3 — “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
4) Righteousness is God’s just and faithful character, reflected in us
- Psalm 119:75 — “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”
- Isaiah 5:16 — “But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.”
5) Righteousness is a matter of whom you serve — sin or obedience
- Romans 6:16 — “To whom you present yourselves slaves to obey… of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
C. Summary of the Definition
Righteousness = living rightly according to God’s standard — His law, His character, and His will. It is not just outward action but also inward (the law written on the heart, delighting in His will). It is expressed in justice, integrity, mercy, faithfulness, fear of the LORD, and obedience to His Word.
D. Other Key Verses
- Micah 6:8 — “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”
- Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
- 1 John 3:7 — “He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
- Romans 3:21–22 — Righteousness revealed apart from the law through faith in Jesus.
E. Teaching Point
Righteousness is both positional and practical: We are declared righteous through faith in Christ, and then we walk in obedience and holiness day by day.
F. Christ Makes Us Holy — To Live Holy
1) Only Christ’s blood can make us righteous — we cannot earn salvation
- Isaiah 64:6 — “All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.”
- Romans 3:10 — “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
- Romans 3:22 — “The righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”
- Romans 5:1 — Justified by faith, we have peace with God.
2) God’s purpose in saving us is a holy people who live righteously
- Titus 2:14 — Christ redeemed us to purify a people, zealous for good works.
- Ephesians 2:10 — Created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand.
3) After being made righteous, we must pursue righteousness
- Romans 6:18 — “Set free from sin… slaves of righteousness.”
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 — “Be holy, for I am holy.”
- 1 John 3:7 — “He who practices righteousness is righteous.”
4) Grace is not a license to sin — it empowers holy living
- Romans 6:1–2 — “Shall we continue in sin…? Certainly not!”
- Hebrews 12:14 — “Pursue… holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
5) Grace trains us to say NO to sin and YES to righteousness
- Titus 2:11–12 — Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
G. Misconceptions vs. Biblical Truth
| ❌ Misconception | ✅ Biblical Truth |
|---|---|
| “Only Christ is righteous — I can’t be.” | Christ gives us His righteousness so we can live righteously. |
| “I can’t earn salvation.” | Correct — and you were saved for good works prepared in advance (Eph 2:10). |
| “God doesn’t expect anything of me now.” | God expects you to deny ungodliness and live holy (Titus 2:11–12). |
| “Grace means my actions don’t matter.” | Grace trains you to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. |
H. Conclusion & Call to Action
We cannot earn righteousness or salvation — that comes only through faith in Christ. But salvation is not the finish line — it’s the starting line of a transformed life. God’s goal is a holy people who reflect His character here on earth (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 4:24). Refusing to pursue righteousness contradicts the very purpose of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Hebrews 10:26–27 — Warning against willfully continuing in sin after receiving the truth.
- Matthew 5:16 — Let your light so shine… good works glorify your Father.
- Titus 2:14 — Christ redeemed us to purify us and make us zealous for good works.