“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
When I think of this word—righteousness—exhaustion fills every inch of my body. I think of all the ways people tell us to do this and not that. I consider how often I weigh my actions against Scripture and face the gravity of my sinful ways. I’m tired just thinking of what I need to do to strive to follow God, serve others, and live this blameless sort of life.
As we see often when we dig deeper into these definitions and original languages, there is so much more to this call to righteousness than we give it credit for, and that deeper meaning actually releases this pressure we may feel.
The Word: Righteousness
In the New Testament Greek (KJV), righteousness is translated from dikaiosynē 92 times and from dikaiōma 4 times.
Strong’s G1343 | dikaiosynē (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay)
equity of character or act, justification, righteousness, just
doing alike to all, of character and conduct — being just as one should be, including the idea of kindness and liberality
speaking with regard to God and the law — there’s the external actions and internal character where the heart is right with God
Outline of Biblical Usage defines it this way: “in a broad sense: the state of him who is as he ought to be.”
Strong’s G1345 | dikaiōma (dik-ah'-yo-mah)
that which has been deemed right, an equitable deed or decision (act or declaration)
a judicial decision or sentence
consistency of character or standard
When we consider what it means to pursue righteousness, we ought to first consider the broadest sense of the word—the state of who we are as God created and called us to be.
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement [or righteousness—dikaiōma] of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 (emphasis mine)
In the Old Testament Hebrew (KJV), righteousness is translated from ṣᵊḏāqâ 128 times and from ṣeḏeq 77 times.
Strong’s H6666 | ṣᵊḏāqâ (tsed-aw-kaw’)
rightness | subjective: rectitude; objective: justice
blameless conduct, integrity—synonymous with truth
right actions AND attitudes expected from God and judges
“Then [Abram] believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness [ṣᵊḏāqâ].” Genesis 15:6 (emphasis mine)
Strong’s H6664 | ṣeḏeq (tseh'-dek)
relational and legal
“a man to God can be described as ṣeḏeq, supposing the parties are faithful to each other’s expectations”
the books of psalms and prophets most often use this word to refer to a state of being (Isaiah 51:1)
“I have sworn by Myself;
The word* has gone out from My mouth in righteousness [ṣeḏeq]
And will not turn back,
That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Isaiah 45:23
*dāḇār
Relational in status and legal by nature, these Hebrew words translated as righteousness “are legal terms signifying justice in conformity” to different people or ways of life, namely, “the justice of the king as judge or the source of justice, God himself.”1
The next time you consider what to do in order to take the path of righteousness, take a look inward and ask God what belief you need to align with in order to follow faithfully, and then remember that that response in and of itself is righteousness.
Your righteous deeds externally, apart from an internal relationship, commitment, and faithfulness to God are fruitless and futile. It’s when you recognize your self-effort and actions alone cannot be righteous without the inner working of the Spirit and God’s righteousness on your behalf that you begin to see the fruit of righteousness in your life.
Righteousness isn’t so much caught up in doing the right thing as much as it is being the right person that God has created you to be, imago dei—in His image.
“Judge me, Lord my God, according to Your righteousness,
And do not let them rejoice over me…
And my tongue shall proclaim Your righteousness
And Your praise all day long.” Psalm 35:24, 28
How does this change the way you view pursuing righteousness in your relationship with God?
Scripture I’m Meditating On
“The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Song On Repeat
Saying I Can’t Stop Thinking About
“The time we work for God can’t come before the time we spend with God.” @wordsaregolden
If you have a word to suggest for an upcoming Word for the Week email, comment or reply and let me know! As always, you can refer back to the previous words here.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew Dictionary, Page 236
"Righteousness isn’t so much caught up in doing the right thing as much as it is being the right person that God has created you to be, imago dei—in His image." Yes and amen, friend!
This is fabulous. It goes along with the message this week from Matthew 6:24. Where God knows who we are really serving and the condition of our heart. Serving for the outward accomplishments without the inner heart for God will lead nowhere. Plus I loved your last sentence!