{
  "id": "dict_006247",
  "term": "Righteousness of God",
  "slug": "righteousness-of-god",
  "letter": "R",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The righteousness of God refers to God's own perfect righteousness and to his righteous saving action revealed in the gospel. In Paul, the phrase is especially important for explaining how God remains just while justifying sinners through Christ.",
  "simple_one_line": "A major Pauline phrase about God's righteousness, especially in Romans.",
  "tooltip_text": "A major Pauline phrase about God's righteousness, especially in Romans.",
  "aliases": [
    "God's righteousness"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [
    "Rom. 1:16-17",
    "Rom. 3:21-26",
    "2 Cor. 5:21"
  ],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Righteousness",
    "Justification",
    "Justification by faith",
    "Covenant nomism",
    "New Perspective on Paul"
  ],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "The righteousness of God speaks first of God's own holy and just character. In key Pauline texts, especially Romans, it also refers to the way God acts righteously to save sinners through the death and resurrection of Christ. Interpreters debate some nuances of the phrase, but it clearly presents God as both just and the one who justifies those who believe.",
  "description_academic_full": "The righteousness of God is a biblical and theological expression, especially prominent in Paul's letters, that points to God's own perfect moral character and to his righteous work in accomplishing salvation. In Romans 1:16-17 and 3:21-26, Paul shows that the gospel reveals how God deals truly and justly with sin while providing justification for sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. Some interpreters emphasize God's righteous character, others his saving activity, and others his covenant faithfulness; these ideas overlap in important ways, though not every proposed nuance should be treated as identical. The safest conclusion is that the phrase declares that God is perfectly righteous in himself and that in the gospel he acts righteously to save all who believe, without compromising his justice.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "The righteousness of God refers to God's own perfect righteousness and to his righteous saving action revealed in the gospel. In Paul, the phrase is especially important for explaining how God remains just while justifying sinners through Christ.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/righteousness-of-god/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/righteousness-of-god.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}