Justice and Divine Grace in Biblical Theology

The concept of justice is deeply intertwined with the character of God in biblical theology. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's justice is "that perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely righteous in himself and in all he does" ^[1]. This understanding is rooted in various biblical passages that describe God's justice as an unchangeable principle of his nature.

The biblical portrayal of God's justice is multifaceted. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights several aspects of God's justice, including its incorruptibility, impartiality, and unfailing nature, citing passages such as Deuteronomy 10:17, 2 Chronicles 19:7, and Zephaniah 3:5 ^[2]. Psalm 99:4 also underscores God's commitment to justice, stating that "the King's strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob" ^[5].

In biblical theology, justice is closely related to righteousness. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that God's righteousness is described as "very high," "abundant," and "everlasting" ^[3]. The Psalmist affirms that God's "righteousness endures forever" (Psalm 111:3). This righteousness is not limited to God's character but is also reflected in his actions and judgments.

Divine grace is another fundamental aspect of biblical theology, often considered in relation to justice. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, grace refers to "God's forgiving mercy" and "the gospel as distinguished from the law" ^[7]. Torrey's Topical Textbook describes grace as "sovereign" and emphasizes its role in redemption through Christ, citing passages such as John 1:17 and Romans 5:15 ^[4].

The interplay between justice and grace is complex. On one hand, God's justice demands righteousness and accountability. On the other hand, his grace offers forgiveness and redemption. In Romans 3:26, Paul notes that God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. This paradox is at the heart of biblical theology, highlighting the tension between God's justice and his mercy.

one commentary tradition on Jeremiah 9:24 emphasizes the importance of understanding God's loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness. It suggests that true knowledge of God involves both theoretical understanding and practical application, walking in God's ways ^[8]. This nuanced view underscores the complexity of God's character and the need to consider both justice and grace in understanding his interactions with humanity.

In the New Testament, the apostle James describes the wisdom that is "from above" as being "first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17) ^[6]. This description reflects the integration of justice and grace, highlighting the importance of mercy and impartiality.

The Protestant academic commentary on Psalms 37:6 notes that justice occurs when the Lord's will triumphs and the godly experience his rescue ^[9]. This understanding is echoed in various biblical passages that portray God's justice as a source of hope and deliverance for the righteous.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justice of God — That perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely righteous in himself and in all he does, the righteousness of the divine nature exercised in his moral government. At first God imposes righteous laws on his creatures and executes them righteously. Justice is not an optional product of his will, but an unchangeable principle of his very nature. His legislative justice is his requiring of his rational creatures conformity in all respects to the moral law. His rectoral or distributive justice is his dealing with his accountable creatures according”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justice of God, The — Is a part of his character -- De 32:4; Isa 45:21. Declared to be Plenteous. -- Job 37:23. Incomparable. -- Job 4:1. Incorruptible. -- De 10:17; 2Ch 19:7. Impartial. -- 2Ch 19:7; Jer 32:19. Unfailing. -- Zep 3:5. Undeviating. -- Job 8:3; 34:12. Without respect of persons. -- Ro 2:11; Col 3:25; 1Pe 1:17. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 89:14. Not to be sinned against -- Jer 50:7. Denied by the ungodly -- Eze 33:17,20. Exhibited in Forgiving sins. -- 1Jo 1:9. Redemption. -- Ro 3:26. His government. -- Ps 9:4; Jer 9:24. His judgments. -- Ge 18:2”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
Psalms “The King’s strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob. -- Psalms 99:4”
James “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. -- James 3:17”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 9:24: Nothing but an experimental knowledge of God will save the nation. understandeth--theoretically; in the intellect. knoweth--practically: so as to walk in My ways (Jer 22:16; Job 22:21; Co1 1:31). loving kindness--God's mercy is put in the first and highest place, because without it we should flee from God in fear and despair. judgment . . . righteousness--loving-kindness towards the godly; judgment towards the ungodly; righteousness the most perfect fairness in all cases [GROTIUS]. Faithfulness to His promises to preserve the godly, as well a”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:6: 37:6 Justice occurs when the Lord’s will triumphs and the godly experience his rescue (Isa 45:8; 51:5-6; 58:8, 10-11).”

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