What Is Righteousness?
Righteousness in the Bible is a broad concept covering both moral integrity and fairness in relationships; the Hebrew 'tsedaqah' and Greek 'dikaiosyne' describe conformity to a standard or to a relationship. God's righteousness means that he always acts in keeping with his character and his word: just in judgment, faithful in saving. For human beings, righteousness is living in right relationship with God and with others; the prophets measure it especially by whether the rights of the poor and the powerless are protected. In the New Testament Paul teaches that no one can be counted right before God by achievement; righteousness is given as a gift through faith in Christ, and Abraham's faith being 'accounted to him for righteousness' is the Old Testament basis of this teaching. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls blessed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and distinguishes true righteousness from piety performed for show.