Righteous(believer, children of god, godly, saints)
“Just, righteous, conforming to the standard”
Summary
The righteous in Scripture are those who conform to God's standard through faith, living in covenant relationship with Him and practicing justice and mercy.
☩Old Testament Concept
In the Old Testament, the righteous (tsaddiq) are those who live according to God's covenant standards. Noah was 'a righteous man, perfect in his generations'; Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. The Psalms frequently contrast the righteous with the wicked, promising divine blessing to the former and judgment to the latter. Righteousness involved both right standing with God and right conduct toward others.
☩New Testament Teaching
The New Testament reveals that 'there is none righteous, no, not one,' establishing humanity's universal need for salvation. Through faith in Christ, believers are declared righteous (justified), receiving Christ's righteousness as a gift. Yet this imputed righteousness must manifest in practical righteousness of life; the righteous live by faith and demonstrate their faith by righteous deeds.
Related Verses749 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Righteous," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Righteous," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Righteous," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).