What Is Righteousness?
Right standing and right relationship with God, living in accordance with his moral character and revealed will.
Meaning
Righteousness translates the Hebrew tsedeq or tsedaqah and the Greek dikaiosyne, the same root behind the word justification. Scripture uses righteousness in two connected senses, first as an attribute of God himself, who is perfectly holy and just, and second as a quality credited to or worked out in human beings who are in right relationship with him.
Paul points to Abraham as the model, whose faith was credited to him as righteousness before the law of Moses even existed, arguing righteousness before God has always come by faith rather than performance. The Beatitudes pronounce those who hunger and thirst for righteousness as blessed, describing it as something actively longed for, not simply possessed automatically.
Traditions describe the mechanics somewhat differently. Reformed and much of Protestant theology emphasizes imputed righteousness, Christ's own righteousness credited to the believer's account through faith, a legal transfer rather than a personal achievement. Catholic theology speaks more of infused righteousness, an actual internal transformation worked out through grace, cooperation, and good works over a lifetime. Eastern Orthodox thought again favors relational and transformative language over legal categories, describing righteousness as part of the believer's growing participation in God's own life. All agree righteousness ultimately originates with God, not human self-effort.
In Scripture
Matthew 5:6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Explore more terms in the Christian glossary, see how the traditions understand it on the denominations guide, or read related verses explained.
Righteousness: Frequently Asked
What does righteousness mean in the Bible?
It describes right standing and right relationship with God, living in line with his moral character. Scripture uses it both as an attribute of God himself and as a quality believers receive or grow into, closely tied to the concept of justification and faith.
How do Christian traditions differ on righteousness?
Protestant theology generally emphasizes imputed righteousness, Christ's righteousness credited to a believer through faith. Catholic theology emphasizes infused righteousness, an actual transformation worked out through grace over a lifetime. Orthodox theology frames it as growing participation in God's own life.
Can a person achieve righteousness through good deeds alone?
No major Christian tradition teaches that. All affirm righteousness ultimately comes from God, received through faith, though traditions differ on how good works relate to it afterward, whether as evidence of a righteousness already given or as part of an ongoing cooperative transformation.