Righteousness Definition and Reception in Romans
In the book of Romans, the concept of "righteousness" (Greek dikaiosunē) is central, though its precise meaning can vary depending on the context [4]. Generally, righteousness refers to obedience to God's law [1]. The Apostle Paul uses the term in a judicial sense, referring to God's activity in establishing a right relationship with humanity, and to the righteous standing believers receive through Christ's work [4].
Romans 1:17 states that "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith," emphasizing that salvation comes through faith rather than legal works [2, 5]. This "righteousness of God" is understood by some as God's method of saving sinners [5], or the righteousness Christ accomplished through his obedience to the law, by which believers are justified [6]. This righteousness is "without the law," meaning human obedience to the law contributes nothing to it [8].
Paul also discusses the "righteousness of faith" in Romans 9:30, noting that Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness through the law, attained it through faith [3]. This contrasts with a righteousness based on human effort, which is insufficient for justification [10]. The Old Testament, including the Law and the Prophets, bears witness to this justifying righteousness, even though it is fully disclosed in Christ [8].
While the initial chapters of Romans often use dikaiosunē in a judicial sense, referring to justification, Paul also employs the term to mean "right behavior that God demands from his people" [4]. For example, in Romans 6:16, "righteous living" is presented as the outcome of serving God. This distinction highlights that while justification is a gift received by faith, it leads to a life characterized by ethical conduct [4]. John Chrysostom notes a similar distinction, explaining that while there was an old righteousness among the Jews, it was often a "figure" or type, not the "truth of righteousness" found in Christ [7].
The ultimate goal, as expressed in Romans 8:4, is "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," referring to the active obedience to the moral law that Christ accomplished and which is imputed to believers [9]. This righteousness, along with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, constitutes the "kingdom of God" [11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness — Is obedience to God's law -- De 6:25; Ro 10:5; Lu 1:6; Ps 1:2. God loves -- Ps 11:7. God looks for -- Isa 5:7. Christ Is the Son of. -- Mal 4:2. Loves. -- Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9. Was girt with. -- Isa 11:5. Put on, as breast-plate. -- Isa 59:17. Was sustained by. -- Isa 59:16. Preached. -- Ps 40:9. Fulfilled all. -- Mt 3:15. Is made to his people. -- 1Co 1:30. Is the end of the law for. -- Ro 10:4. Has brought in everlasting. -- Da 9:24. Shall judge with. -- Ps 72:2; Isa 11:4; Ac 17:31; Re 19:11. Shall reign in. -- Ps 45:6; Isa 32:1; Heb 1:8. Shall execute.”
- Romans “Romans 1:17 (NASB) — For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."”
- Romans “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith; -- Romans 9:30”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 6:16: 6:16 righteous living (Greek dikaiosunē, “righteousness”): In the first part of Romans, Paul uses this Greek word in a judicial sense, referring (1) to the activity of God to set people in a right relationship with himself or (2) to the righteous standing that believers enjoy as a result of Christ’s work (see, e.g., 1:17; 3:21-22; 4:3, 5). Here, Paul uses the same word as it is often used in the Old Testament, meaning the right behavior that God demands from his people.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 1:17: For therein - In the Gospel of Christ. Is the righteousness of God - God's method of saving sinners. Revealed from faith to faith - Shown to be by faith, and not by the works of any law; for Abraham, the father and founder of the Jewish people, was justified by faith, before even the law was given; and by believing, in reference to the spiritual object held forth in the various ordinances of the law, and now revealed under the Gospel, he and all his believing descendants have been justified. And thus the faith of the old covenant led on to the faith of the new coven”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed,.... By "the righteousness of God", is not meant the essential righteousness of God, the rectitude of his nature, his righteousness in fulfilling his promises, and his punitive justice, which though revealed in the Gospel, yet not peculiar to it; nor the righteousness by which Christ himself is righteous, either as God, or as Mediator; but that righteousness which he wrought out by obeying the precepts, and bearing the penalty of the law in the room of his people, and by which they are justified in the sight of God: and”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: “in righteousness and holiness of truth.” There was of old a righteousness, there was likewise a holiness with the Jews. Yet was that righteousness not in truth, but in figure. For the being clean in body was a type of purity, not the truth of purity; was a type of righteousness, not the truth of righteousness. “In righteousness,” saith he, “and holiness,” which are “of truth.” And this expression is used with reference to falsehood; for many there are, who to them that are without, seem to be righteous, yet are false. Now by rig”
- 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”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,.... By the righteousness of the law, is not meant the righteousness of the ceremonial law, though that was fulfilled by Christ; but of the moral law, which requires holiness of nature, righteousness of life, and death in case of disobedience; active righteousness, or obedience to the precepts of the law, is designed here. This is what the law requires; obedience to the commands of it is properly righteousness; and by Christ's obedience to it we are made righteous, and this gives the title to eternal life: now ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 23: that it should not only be practically held by the people, but that it should also be clearly presented and maintained by the clergy. It is not what we do or are, but solely what Christ is and has done that can avail for our justification before the bar of God. Other Passages teaching the same Doctrine. 4. This doctrine of the imputation of the righteousness of Christ; or, in other words, that his righteousness is the judicial ground of the believer’s justification, is not only formally and argumentatively presented as in the passages cit”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God--or, as we should say, Religion; that is, the proper business and blessedness for which Christians are formed into a community of renewed men in thorough subjection to God (compare Co1 4:20). is not meat and drink--"eating and drinking" but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost--a beautiful and comprehensive division of living Christianity. The first--"righteousness"--has respect to God, denoting here "rectitude," in its widest sense (as in Mat 6:33); the second--"peace"--has respect to our neighbors, denoting ”