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Bible Encyclopedias
Righteousness
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (צֶדֶק, δικία, 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 (Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 6:25; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 119:137; Psalms 119:142; Isaiah 45:23; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 51:5-8; Isaiah 56:1). The righteousness of Christ denotes not only his absolute perfection (Isaiah 51:11; 1 John 2:1; Acts 3:14), but is taken for his perfect obedience unto death as the sacrifice for the sin of the world (Daniel 9:24; Romans 3:25-26; Romans 5:18-19; Jeremiah 23:6; John 1:29). The righteousness of the law is that obedience which the law requires (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:20; Romans 8:4). The righteousness of faith is the justification which is received by faith (Romans 3:21-28; Romans 4:3-25; Romans 5:1-11; Romans 10:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:21). Righteousness is sometimes used for uprightness and just dealing between man and man (Isaiah 60:17), also for holiness of life and conversation (Daniel 4:27; Luke 1:6; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 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 (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 5:27; Isaiah 45:24);
(2.) The righteousness of their principles, being derived from, and formed according to, the rule of right (Psalms 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 (Hebrews 13:24; 1 Corinthians 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).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Righteousness'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/r/righteousness.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
