What does righteousness mean?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible uses the word “righteousness” to describe God’s character and living according to His will. Righteousness is rooted in God’s own character (Psalm 11:7). It was expected of His people as they followed His commands so that keeping His law was seen as evidence of righteousness (Deuteronomy 6:25). Righteousness also had a relational aspect: those considered righteous were those who trusted God and responded to Him in faith (Habakkuk 2:4). We cannot achieve righteousness through effort, since we are sinners (Romans 3:10, 23). Instead, men and women can only be considered righteous through the gift of faith in Christ (Romans 3:22–24). Paul teaches that this gift is based on Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death so that those who believe are considered to have His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). As a result, believers are called to live in ways that demonstrate this righteousness, not to earn salvation but to reflect what God has already given them.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Righteousness is an attribute of God Himself. He is upright, just, and perfectly consistent with His own holy standard (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 11:7; 145:17).
• For Israel, righteousness meant living faithfully in response to God. Moses told the people, “And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us” (Deuteronomy 6:25). Righteousness was demonstrated by obeying God’s commands. To be righteous was to act with integrity and fairness, to worship the LORD alone, and to trust Him every day.
• The Old Testament often contrasts the righteous with the wicked (Psalm 1:6; Proverbs 11:5), describing the righteous as those who love God’s ways (Psalm 119:97), seek justice (Micah 6:8), and rely on His deliverance (Psalm 34:17).
• The prophets also looked forward to a fuller expression of righteousness. Isaiah spoke of a coming King who, “with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4). Jeremiah added that one day a righteous Branch (descendant) from David’s line would appear, and “In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:5–6). God promised that He would provide righteousness for His people through the coming Messiah.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Righteousness is something no person can achieve through effort alone. Paul wrote, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). A few verses later, he clarified that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because God is perfectly righteous and demands that people be perfect like Him (Matthew 5:48), no one can meet His standard of righteousness on their own.
• Thankfully, the good news of the gospel is that God gives us the righteousness we cannot earn as a gift through faith in Christ. Paul said this “righteousness of God” comes “through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22). He explained that believers “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). The foundation of this gift is Christ’s obedience and sacrifice. As Paul summarized elsewhere, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus bore the penalty for sin so His righteousness could be credited to those who trust Him. When someone is saved, they are legally declared righteous even though they are not yet perfect.
• Righteousness is not only a legal declaration but also a call for how to live life. Jesus said those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” are blessed (Matthew 5:6). Genuine believers long for lives transformed to align with God’s standards. In Jesus’ day, scribes and Pharisees were considered by many to be the most righteous. But Jesus said, “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
• Although the religious leaders excelled at outward law-keeping, inwardly many of them were dead (Matthew 23:27). Jesus wanted to highlight that righteousness that pleases God comes from within. That’s why Paul urged Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). He was reminding him that believers should strive to live righteously, a pursuit which requires the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:22).
• We look forward to a future when our righteousness will be fully complete. Paul spoke of the “crown of righteousness” that the Lord will give on the last day (2 Timothy 4:8). Peter wrote, “But according to his [God’s] promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). John said that believers will be like Jesus when they see Him (1 John 3:2). Until then, believers live in the tension of being declared righteous in Christ while still longing for the day when their righteousness will be fully realized.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Understanding righteousness changes how we see ourselves and God. On our own, we cannot meet His standard. This should humble us because it highlights our sin and inability. However, it also sets us free because righteousness is something we receive through Christ, not earned by our efforts. When we trust Him, we stand before God clothed in His perfect righteousness and are accepted as His child (Ephesians 1:3–14; Romans 8).

This gift of righteousness also transforms how we live. Being made righteous by faith doesn’t mean we can continue to sin. Instead, we are called to reflect God’s righteousness (John 15:1–17; Philippians 2:12–13). Each day presents opportunities to pursue honesty, justice, mercy, and love. Doing so does not earn God’s approval (we are already approved based on Jesus’ righteousness!), but it allows us to live in accordance with the new identity He has given us (Romans 12).

Finally, the promise that we will be perfectly righteous offers hope. While we will stumble at times (1 John 1:8–10), God is at work, molding us into Christ’s image. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives, training us to live rightly. And one day, we will stand before Him, completely righteous, rejoicing in the gift He started and faithfully completes (Philippians 1:6; 2:13).

UNDERSTAND

• Righteousness is God’s perfect character and holiness.
• Humans are seen as righteousness through faith in Christ.
• While those who have put their faith in Christ are declared righteous, we are also called to live for righteousness.

REFLECT

• How do you understand the truth that God makes you righteous but also that you are called to live for righteousness?
• Where in your life are you striving to live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness?
• How do you rely on the Spirit to guide you toward righteousness rather than depending on your own effort?

ENGAGE

• How can we, and why should we, encourage one another to pursue righteousness?
• What are some challenges we face in balancing the righteousness we are declared to have in Christ with the ongoing process of living righteously?
• How does understanding God’s perfect righteousness shape our understanding of how we are called to live?