The term righteousness is packed with theological significance and God’s Word has a lot to say about what it means to be right with the LORD. These scripture quotes on righteousness will depend your faith and help you understand the work of Jesus Christ that makes possible eternal life.
Scripture Quote on Righteousness
- 1 John 3:7 Whoever practices righteousness verse
- 1 John 2:29 Jesus is righteous so Christians must be too
- Matthew 5:20 Righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees
- Matthew 5:6 Hunger and thirst for righteousness Bible verse
- Isaiah 33:15-17 Old Testament passage on righteousness
- 1 Peter 3:14 Suffer for righteousness sake
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 We might become the righteousness of God verse
- Romans 10:4 Jesus Christ is the end of the law of righteousness
- 2 Timothy 2:22 Christians told to pursue righteousness scripture
- Philippians 1:11 Fruit of righteousness Bible reference
- Romans 1:17 The righteousness of God is revealed.
- Romans 3:10 None is righteous Bible verse
- Romans 5:1-5 Paul the Apostle explains the righteousness of God in this New Testament scripture passage.
- FAQ about Righteousness in the Bible
- More Bible Study Citations about the Righteousness of God
1 John 3:7 Whoever practices righteousness verse
1 John 3:7
(ESV) Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
(KJV) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(MSG) So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah.
(NIV) Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
(NLT) Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.
1 John 2:29 Jesus is righteous so Christians must be too
1 John 2:29
(ESV) If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
(KJV) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
(MSG) Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.
(NIV) If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
(NLT) Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.
Matthew 5:20 Righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees
Matthew 5:20
(ESV) For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
(KJV) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(MSG) Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
(NIV) For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
(NLT) “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Matthew 5:6 Hunger and thirst for righteousness Bible verse
Matthew 5:6
(ESV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(KJV) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
(MSG) “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
(NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
(NLT) God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
Isaiah 33:15-17 Old Testament passage on righteousness
Isaiah 33:15
(ESV)Â He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,
(KJV)Â He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
(MSG)Â The answer’s simple: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements.
(NIV) Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—
(NLT) Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
Isaiah 33:16
(ESV)Â he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.
(KJV)Â He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
(MSG)Â This is how you raise your standard of living! A safe and stable way to live. A nourishing, satisfying way to live.
(NIV)Â they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.
(NLT)Â these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.
Isaiah 33:17
(ESV) Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.
(KJV) Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
(MSG) Oh, you’ll see the king—a beautiful sight! And you’ll take in the wide vistas of land.
(NIV) Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.
(NLT) Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor, and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.
1 Peter 3:14 Suffer for righteousness sake
1 Peter 3:14
(ESV) But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
(KJV) But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
(MSG) Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought.
(NIV) But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
(NLT) But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
2 Corinthians 5:21 We might become the righteousness of God verse
2 Corinthians 5:21
(ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(MSG) How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
(NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Romans 10:4 Jesus Christ is the end of the law of righteousness
Romans 10:4
(ESV) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
(KJV) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(MSG) The earlier revelation was intended simply to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for those who trust him to do it.
(NIV) Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
(NLT) For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
2 Timothy 2:22 Christians told to pursue righteousness scripture
2 Timothy 2:22
(ESV) So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
(KJV) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(MSG) Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.
(NIV) Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(NLT) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Philippians 1:11 Fruit of righteousness Bible reference
Philippians 1:11
(ESV) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(KJV) Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
(MSG) bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
(NIV) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
(NLT) May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Romans 1:17 The righteousness of God is revealed.
Romans 1:17
(ESV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
(KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(MSG) God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.”
(NIV) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
(NLT) This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Romans 3:10 None is righteous Bible verse
Romans 3:10
(ESV) as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
(KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(MSG) There’s nobody living right, not even one,
(NIV) As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
(NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.
Romans 5:1-5 Paul the Apostle explains the righteousness of God in this New Testament scripture passage.
Romans 5:1
(ESV)Â Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(KJV)Â Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
(MSG) By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.
(NIV)Â Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Romans 5:2
(ESV)Â Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(KJV)Â By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(MSG) And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
(NIV)Â through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
(NLT) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:3
(ESV)Â Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
(KJV)Â And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
(MSG)Â There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,
(NIV)Â Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
(NLT)Â We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Romans 5:4
(ESV)Â and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
(KJV)Â And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
(MSG)Â and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.
(NIV)Â perseverance, character; and character, hope.
(NLT)Â And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Romans 5:5
(ESV) and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
(MSG) In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
(NIV) And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(NLT) And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
FAQ about Righteousness in the Bible
The Bible often uses the term “righteousness” to refer to a person’s relationship to God. A righteous person is someone who follows God’s laws and lives in harmony with His will. The Bible also teaches that righteousness comes as a gift from God. It’s something that we can’t earn through our own efforts, but must receive as a free gift from Him. And when we receive His righteousness, it covers all of our sins and makes us right with Him.
There are many ways that people have claimed to be right with God. Some people say that you need to follow certain rules or rituals in order to be made right with Him. Others say that you just need to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Still, others maintain that you must confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. At the end of the day, only God knows how a person can be made right with Him. However, we can trust that if we come to Him with a humble heart, He will not turn us away.
The breastplate of righteousness is a metaphor for the spiritual armor that Christians are supposed to put on every day. The Bible mentions several different pieces of armor that we’re supposed to wear, including the breastplate of righteousness. This armor is meant to protect us from the attacks of the enemy, and to help us stand firm in our faith. The breastplate of righteousness is a symbol of God’s protection, and it reminds us that we are righteous in Christ no matter what anyone else says or does. We can stand strong against the attacks of the enemy knowing that we are clothed in God’s protection.
The robe of righteousness is a reference to the clothes that God clothes us in when we are saved. In the Bible, God tells us that He looks at our hearts, and not our clothes (1 Samuel 16:7). When we are saved, we are given a new heart and new clothes- a white robe- which symbolizes righteousness (Revelation 3:4-5, Exodus 28:2, Ezekiel 9:4). This robe of righteousness is not just for us- it is also for those around us. When we wear this robe of righteousness, it is a sign to the world that we belong to Jesus Christ and His love and mercy have forgiven us of our sins. It serves as a reminder to others
The oaks of righteousness mentioned in Scripture are a symbol of strength, greenness, and beauty. They are often associated with the LORD’s appointed trees, which are described as being planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:3). Oaks of righteousness can also represent God’s people who are upright and strong in His sight (Isaiah 61:3).