Attribute of God: Justice in Scripture and Theology
The Attribute of God's Justice in Scripture and Theology
The concept of God's justice is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology. According to Scripture, God's justice is an inherent part of His character, described as "plenteous" (Job 37:23) [1], "incomparable" (Job 4:1), and "without respect of persons" (Ro 2:11; Col 3:25; 1Pe 1:17) [1]. The Psalmist affirms that "the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works" (Ps 145:17) [3].
In biblical terms, God's justice encompasses both legislative and distributive aspects. Legislative justice refers to God's righteous laws imposed on His creatures, while distributive justice pertains to His dealings with accountable creatures according to their actions [2]. The biblical basis for understanding God's justice is found in various passages, including Deuteronomy 32:4, Isaiah 45:21, and Psalm 89:14 [1].
Theological traditions have interpreted God's justice in the context of salvation. The righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Romans 1:17, "For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith" [4]. This righteousness is not earned through human obedience but is a gift from God, manifested through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-26) [5].
Different theological perspectives emphasize various aspects of God's justice. For instance, one commentary tradition on Psalms 24:5 notes that "righteousness" refers to the rewards God bestows on His people or the grace to secure those rewards [8]. Similarly, the Protestant academic commentary on Psalms 99:4 highlights that the Lord's rule is characterized by strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness [6].
The biblical portrayal of God's justice is closely tied to His character and actions. The Psalmist declares, "The Lord is just in all his ways and faithful in all he does" (Ps 145:17, NIV). This understanding of God's justice underscores His faithfulness and reliability in all His dealings with humanity.
The concept of God's justice has significant implications for understanding His relationship with humanity. As the Protestant academic commentary on Psalms 37:6 notes, justice occurs when the Lord's will triumphs, and the godly experience His rescue [7]. This highlights the integral role of God's justice in His redemptive plan.
Sources
- 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”
- 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: 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”
- Romans “Romans 1:17 (DRC) — For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: The just man liveth by faith.”
- 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 99:4: 99:4 The qualities of the Lord’s rule include strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness (see 93:4; 97:2, 6-7, 12; 98:2-3, 9; 138:6).”
- 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).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 24:5: righteousness--the rewards which God bestows on His people, or the grace to secure those rewards as well as the result.”