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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Righteousness
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( öֶãֶ÷ , äéêßá , the quality of being right morally). The righteousness of God is the essential perfection of his nature, and is frequently used to designate his holiness, justice, and faithfulness (Gen_18:25; Deu_6:25; Psa_31:1; Psa_119:137; Psa_119:142; Isa_45:23; Isa_46:13; Isa_51:5-8; Isa_56:1). The righteousness of Christ denotes not only his absolute perfection (Isa_51:11; 1Jn_2:1; Act_3:14), but is taken for his perfect obedience unto death as the sacrifice for the sin of the world (Dan_9:24; Rom_3:25-26; Rom_5:18-19; Jer_23:6; Joh_1:29). The righteousness of the law is that obedience which the law requires (Rom_3:10; Rom_3:20; Rom_8:4). The righteousness of faith is the justification which is received by faith (Rom_3:21-28; Rom_4:3-25; Rom_5:1-11; Rom_10:6-11; 2Co_5:21; Gal_2:21). Righteousness is sometimes used for uprightness and just dealing between man and man (Isa_60:17), also for holiness of life and conversation (Dan_4:27; Luk_1:6; Rom_14:17; Eph_5:9). The saints have a threefold righteousness:
(1.) The righteousness of their persons, as in Christ, his merit being imputed to them, and they accepted on the account thereof (2Co_5:21; Eph_5:27; Isa_45:24);
(2.) The righteousness of their principles, being derived from, and formed according to, the rule of right (Psa_119:11);
(3.) The righteousness of their lives, produced by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb_13:24; 1Co_6:11). See Dickinson, Letters, let. 12; Witherspoon, Essay on Imputed Righteousness; Hervey, Theron and Aspasio; Owen, On Justification; Watts, Works, 3, 532, 8vo ed.; Jenks, On Submission to the Righteousness of God. SEE JUSTIFICATION; SEE SANCTIFICATION.