Nature of God's Righteousness Revealed in Scripture
The Nature of God's Righteousness in Scripture
The concept of God's righteousness is a central theme in Scripture, revealing God's character and His relationship with humanity. According to Romans 1:17, "the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith" [1]. This verse establishes that God's righteousness is a key aspect of the gospel message.
God's righteousness encompasses various aspects of His character, including His justice, holiness, and faithfulness. It is described as being "very high" (Ps 71:19), "abundant" (Ps 48:10), and "everlasting" (Ps 119:142) [2]. The righteousness of God is not just an attribute but an essential part of His nature, exercised in His moral government [4].
In the context of salvation, God's righteousness is revealed through the gospel, where it is described as "the righteousness of God by faith in Christ" (Rom 3:22) [3]. This righteousness is not earned through human obedience but is imputed to believers through faith. As Calvin notes, this righteousness is "witnessed by the law and the prophets" (Rom 3:21), indicating its roots in the Old Testament Scriptures [5].
The biblical concept of God's righteousness is closely tied to His justice. 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" [4]. This justice is exercised in His legislative, rectoral, and distributive capacities, ensuring that His moral government is upheld.
The revelation of God's righteousness in Scripture has significant implications for understanding salvation and the Christian life. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, rather than earned through human merit. As John Gill notes, God's righteousness is a reason why Christ's petitions on behalf of His people are regarded [6].
The biblical portrayal of God's righteousness also highlights its connection to Christ, who is described as "the Lord our righteousness" (Jer 23:6) [3]. Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, making them the "righteousness of God in Christ" (2 Cor 5:21) [3].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 1:17 (LEB) — For the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, just as it is written, “But the one who is righteous by faith will live.””
- 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: Righteousness Imputed — Predicted -- Isa 56:1; Eze 16:14. Revealed in the gospel -- Ro 1:17. Is of the Lord -- Isa 54:17. Described as The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 4:13; 9:30; 10:6. The righteousness of God, without the law. -- Ro 3:21. The righteousness of God by faith in Christ. -- Ro 3:22. Christ being made righteousness to us. -- 1Co 1:30. Our being made the righteousness of God, in Christ. -- 2Co 5:21. Christ is the end of the law for -- Ro 10:4. Christ called THE LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:6. Christ brings in an everlasting righteousness -- Da 9:2”
- 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”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:21: GOD'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ALIKE ADAPTED TO OUR NECESSITIES AND WORTHY OF HIMSELF. (Rom 3:21-26) But now the righteousness of God--(See on Rom 1:17). without the law--that is, a righteousness to which our obedience to the law contributes nothing whatever (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16). is manifested, being witnessed--attested. by the law and the prophets--the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus this justifying righteousness, though new, as only now fully disclosed, is an old righteousness, predicted and foreshadowed in the Ol”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 17:24: O righteous Father,.... God is righteous in all the divine persons: the Father is righteous, the Son is righteous, and the Holy Spirit is righteous: he is so in his nature; righteousness is a perfection of it; he is so in all his purposes and promises; in all his ways and works of providence and grace; in predestination, redemption, justification, pardon of sin, and eternal glory. Christ makes use of this epithet, as containing a reason why he might justly expect that all his petitions and claims, on behalf of himself and people, would be regarded: the world hath not”