What does the Bible say about righteousness?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that righteousness is God’s perfect holiness, received by sinners through faith in Jesus Christ and then expressed in a life of obedient love. Christ is the fulfillment of righteousness for all who believe, and in him God counts believers righteous because he bore their sin and gave them his righteousness (Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Having been justified by faith, Christians have peace with God and grow through suffering in hope (Romans 5:1-5). True faith also bears fruit: those born of God practice righteousness, pursue a righteousness exceeding outward religion, and walk uprightly before the Lord (1 John 3:7; Matthew 5:20; Isaiah 33:15-17).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

1 John 3:7
Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Psalms 106:3
Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.
1 John 2:29
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.
Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Romans 5:1-5
[1] Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; [2] through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; [4] and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: [5] and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."
2 Corinthians 5:21
For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Isaiah 33:15-17
[15] He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; he who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands from taking a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking on evil: [16] He shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given [him]; his waters shall be sure. [17] Your eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall see a land that reaches afar.
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

By faith Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Romans 4:5; Romans 4:9; Romans 4:11; Romans 4:13; Romans 4:20; Romans 4:22; Romans 4:24
Garment of Job 29:14; Matthew 22:11-14
Counted (regarded) for the sake of obedience Deuteronomy 6:25; Job 33:26
FRUITS OF Deuteronomy 6:25; Joshua 22:31; Psalms 1:3; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:3-5; Psalms 101:3; Psalms 101:4; Psalms 106:3; Psalms 112:4-8; Proverbs 2:5-20; Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 10:16
SYMBOLIZED Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 22:2
See SIN, FRUITS OF
See WORKS, GOOD

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Is obedience to God’s law Deuteronomy 6:25; Romans 10:5; Luke 1:6; Psalms 1:2
God loves Psalms 11:7
God looks for Isaiah 5:7
Christ
Is the Son of Malachi 4:2
Loves Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 1:9
Was girt with Isaiah 11:5
Put on, as breast-plate Isaiah 59:17
Was sustained by Isaiah 59:16
Preached Psalms 40:9
Fulfilled all Matthew 3:15
Is made to his people 1 Corinthians 1:30
Is the end of the law for Romans 10:4
Has brought in everlasting Daniel 9:24
Shall judge with Psalms 72:2; Isaiah 11:4; Acts 17:31; Revelation 19:11
Shall reign in Psalms 45:6; Isaiah 32:1; Hebrews 1:8
Shall execute Psalms 99:4; Jeremiah 23:6
None, by nature have Job 15:14; Psalms 14:3; Romans 3:10
Cannot come by the law Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:21
No justification by works of Romans 3:20; Romans 9:31; Romans 9:32; Galatians 2:16
No salvation by works of Ephesians 2:8; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5
Unregenerate man seeks justification by works of Luke 18:9; Romans 10:3
The blessing of God is not to be attributed to our works of Deuteronomy 9:5
Saints
Have, in Christ Isaiah 45:24; Isaiah 54:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Have, imputed Romans 4:11; Romans 4:22
Are covered with the robe of Isaiah 61:10
Receive, from God Psalms 24:5
Are renewed in Ephesians 4:24
Are led in the paths of Psalms 23:3
Are servants of Romans 6:16; Romans 6:18
Characterised by Genesis 18:25; Psalms 1:5; Psalms 1:6
Know Isaiah 51:7
Do 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7
Work, by faith Hebrews 11:33
Follow after Isaiah 51:1
Put on Job 29:14
Wait for the hope of Galatians 5:5
Pray for the spirit of Psalms 51:10
Hunger and thirst after Matthew 5:6

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