Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God's character, Job 36:3; Isaiah 51:5-8; John 17:25; and of his administration, Genesis 18:25; Romans 3:21,22; 10:3 . It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion, Genesis 18:23; Leviticus 19:15; Isaiah 60:17; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:9 .