Bible Verses on Righteousness
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will
be justified in His sight, for by the law is the
knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from
the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus
Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no
difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus, — Romans 3:20-24
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified
by faith apart from the deeds of the law. — Romans 3:28
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9
and be found in Him, not having my own
righteousness, which is from the law, but that which
is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from
God by faith; — Philippians 3:9
knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in
Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the
law no flesh shall be justified. — Galatians 2:16
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if
righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in
vain.” — Galatians 2:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be
sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in
Him. — 2 Corinthians 5:21
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.” — Romans 4:3
But to him who does not work but believes on
Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for
righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of
the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: —
Romans 4:5-6
And he believed in the
Lord, and He
accounted it to him for righteousness. — Genesis 15:6
But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all
fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us
away. — Isaiah 64:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, For they shall be filled. — Matthew 5:6
As it is written: “There is none righteous,
no, not one; — Romans 3:10
Therefore, as through one man’s offense
judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so
through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all
men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s
disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s
obedience many will be made righteous. — Romans 5:18-19
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did
not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even
the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of
righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as
it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that
stumbling stone. — Romans 9:30-32
For with the heart one believes unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation. — Romans 10:10
I could wish that those who trouble you would
even cut themselves off! For you, brethren, have been called to
liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for
the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law
is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour
one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say
then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of
the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,
so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are
led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of
the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions,
heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you
in time past, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And
those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one
another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in
any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in
a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be
tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ. — Galatians 5:12-6:2
Is the law then against the promises of God?
Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could
have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise
by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept
for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the
law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. — Galatians 3:21-24
But to him who does not work but believes on
Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for
righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of
the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: —
Romans 4:5-6
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God
for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness
that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the
righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law
for righteousness to everyone who believes. — Romans 10:1-4
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For
what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that
I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law
that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do
it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is,
in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with
me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For
the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I
will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will
not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that
dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me,
the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God
according to the inward man. But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me
into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O
wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of
death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with
the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the
law of sin. — Romans 7:15-25
And if Christ is in you, the body is
dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness. — Romans 8:10
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became
for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and
redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him
glory in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
who was delivered up because of our offenses,
and was raised because of our justification. — Romans 4:25
Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in
mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to
seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. — Hosea
10:12
For by one offering He has perfected forever
those who are being sanctified. — Hebrews 10:14
Does this blessedness then come upon the
circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we
say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. —
Romans 4:9
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. — James
2:23
We Are Not Saved By Works
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will
be justified in His sight, for by the law is the
knowledge of sin. — Romans 3:20
not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He
poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs
according to the hope of eternal life. — Titus 3:5-7
knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in
Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the
law no flesh shall be justified. — Galatians 2:16
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest anyone should boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9
Appropriate Works for a Christian
Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. —
Matthew 5:16
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute
of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be
warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which
are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also
faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone
will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith
without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons
believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man,
that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and
by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled
which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted
to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith
only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works
when she received the messengers and sent them out
another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also. — James 2:15-26
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own
special people, zealous for good works. — Titus 2:14
They profess to know God, but in works they
deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for
every good work. — Titus 1:16
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we
keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected
in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he
abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. — 1
John 2:3-6
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. — John
14:15
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone
loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and
We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not
love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is
not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. — John 14:23-24
The Law of Christ – Love
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ. — Galatians 6:2
A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one
another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another.” — John 13:34-35
“Teacher, which is the great commandment
in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the
Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And
the second is like it: ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all
the Law and the Prophets.” — Matthew 22:36-40
If you really fulfill the royal law
according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself,” you do well; — James 2:8
For though I am free from all men, I
have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to
those who are under the law, as under the law, that I
might win those who are under the law; to those who
are without law, as without law (not being without law
toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those
who are without law; — 1 Corinthians 9:19-21
Owe no one anything except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the
commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not
murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false
witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any
other commandment, are all summed up in this saying,
namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love
does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law. — Romans 13:8-10
So then each of us shall give account of
himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore,
but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause
to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the
Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but
to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is
unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your
food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with
your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let
your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not
eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is
acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue
the things which make for peace and the things by which
one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the
sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is
evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to
eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your
brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. — Romans
14:12-21
However, there is not in everyone that
knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now
eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their
conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us
to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do
not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty
of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if
anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple,
will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat
those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge
shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when
you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my
brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my
brother stumble. — 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
For the love of Christ compels us, because we
judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; — 2
Corinthians 5:14
The Law
knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in
Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the
law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be
justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is
Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I
build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a
transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might
live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer
I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace
of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then
Christ died in vain.” — Galatians 2:16-21
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says
to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped,
and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the
deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by
the law is the knowledge of sin. — Romans 3:19-20
And this I say, that the law, which was
four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant
that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make
the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of
the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it
to Abraham by promise. What purpose then does the law
serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed
should come to whom the promise was made; and it was
appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a
mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is
one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not!
For if there had been a law given which could have given life,
truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the
Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith
in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before
faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the
faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was
our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer
under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:17-26
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. — James 2:10
There is therefore now no condemnation
to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to
the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of
sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak
through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in
the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be
fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but
according to the Spirit. — Romans 8:1-4
For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to everyone who believes. — Romans 10:4
All things are lawful for me, but all things
are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be
brought under the power of any. — 1 Corinthians 6:12
Questions About Righteousness
1.
How does a person obtain righteousness?
Righteousness cannot
be earned by keeping the Law of God. It can only be obtained by
faith in the work of Jesus. It is a gift that cannot be earned.
(Romans 3:20, Titus 3:5-7, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. How can you resolve the apparent conflict between Ephesians
2:8-9 and James 2:24?
James agrees with Paul
that salvation is by faith (James 2:23, Romans 4:3). However, if
a person’s “faith” does not produce corresponding action, it is
dead and cannot save him (James 2:14-20). James is making a case
that faith is more than just believing that there is a God
(James 2:19). Paul emphasizes the point that a person cannot be
saved by keeping the law of God (the works of the law, Galatians
2:16). But Paul, like James, also stresses the importance of
being zealous to perform good works as a Christian (Titus 2:14,
16).
3. When and why did God give the Law?
The law was given 430
years after the promise was given to Abraham. It was given
because of sin, to be our tutor to lead us to salvation in Jesus
Christ. It was never meant to be the means of receiving the
promise. (Galatians 3:17-26)
4. What part does good works play in a Christian’s life?
Good works should be a
natural result of our love for Jesus (John 14:15, 23-24). Faith
that is alive will produce appropriate actions (James 2:15-26).
Our good works bring glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew
5:16).
5. Since we are “not under law” (Romans 6:14), how should we
relate to the Law and the Old Testament?
The Old Testament
teaches us the nature, character, and ways of God. He does not
change, so we need to understand His plans, purposes, and
expectations. We are no longer judged by the law, but most of
the law (other than the ceremonial law) still applies and has
earthly consequences when broken. The law is still God’s
standard of perfection and His desire for us. The law is also
used to lead unbelievers to faith in Jesus.
6) Is there any law that Christians are under? What is it
called?
Yes – the law of love
(2 Corinthians 5:14), “love one another ; as I have loved you”
(John 13:34-35). The royal law (James 2:8). The law of Christ
(Gal 6:2).
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