Skip to content

Skip to table of contents

Righteousness

Righteousness

Who alone has the authority to determine what is right or just?

De 32:4; Eze 33:17-20

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Ge 18:23-33​—Jehovah shows Abraham that He is a righteous Judge

    • Ps 72:1-4, 12-14​—This inspired psalm praises the Messianic King, who perfectly reflects Jehovah’s righteousness

How do we benefit from living by Jehovah’s righteous standards?

Ps 37:25, 29; Jas 5:16; 1Pe 3:12

See also Ps 35:24; Isa 26:9; Ro 1:17

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Job 37:22-24​—Elihu praises the righteousness of Jehovah, who inspires profound awe in the heart of His servants

    • Ps 89:13-17​—The psalmist praises Jehovah for basing His rulership on righteousness

What does it mean to seek God’s righteousness?

Eze 18:25-31; Mt 6:33; Ro 12:1, 2; Eph 4:23, 24

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Ge 6:9, 22; 7:1​—Noah proves himself righteous by carefully doing all that Jehovah asks of him

    • Ro 4:1-3, 9​—Jehovah views Abraham as righteous because he shows remarkable faith in Him

Why must our righteousness be based on love for Jehovah rather than on a desire to appear righteous before humans?

Mt 6:1; 23:27, 28; Lu 16:14, 15; Ro 10:10

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Mt 5:20; 15:7-9​—Jesus tells people to be righteous but not according to the standards set by the scribes and Pharisees, who are hypocritical

    • Lu 18:9-14​—Jesus gives an illustration to correct those who seek to prove themselves righteous while looking down on others

Why is goodness even better than righteousness?

Why should we avoid being self-righteous and resist any urge to prove ourselves more righteous than others?