δικαιοσύνη

justice, justness, righteousness

Definition

Δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) fundamentally means 'righteousness' or 'justice,' encompassing both a legal and moral sense of being in right standing. In the New Testament, it often refers to God's own perfect righteousness, which He imparts to believers through faith in Christ (Romans 3:21-22). It also describes the righteous living that should characterize those in God's kingdom, as emphasized in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:20, 6:33). In some contexts, it carries a more general sense of justice or uprightness, as seen in Luke 1:75.

Biblical Usage

This word is used extensively, especially in the writings of Paul (e.g., Romans, Galatians) and Matthew. Paul primarily uses it to describe the gift of right standing before God received by faith (justification), not by works of the law (Romans 4:5). Matthew frequently uses it in an ethical sense, referring to the righteous conduct expected of Jesus' followers (Matthew 5:6, 5:10). It appears in John to describe the conviction the Holy Spirit brings regarding righteousness (John 16:8).

Etymology

Derived from the adjective δίκαιος (dikaios, G1342), meaning 'just' or 'righteous,' and the suffix -σύνη, which forms abstract nouns. It is related to the verb δικαιόω (dikaioō, G1344), 'to justify' or 'declare righteous.' The root concept is conformity to a standard, originally a legal standard of justice, which in biblical Greek expands to include moral and relational rightness before God.

Semantic Range

This is a cornerstone theological term. It is central to the doctrine of justification—how sinners are declared righteous before a holy God through faith in Christ's atoning work (Romans 3:21-26). It also relates to sanctification, the process of growing in righteous living. Understanding the Greek term helps distinguish between the gift of righteousness (imputed) and the practice of righteousness (lived out), both of which are essential to the biblical message.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term often related to civic virtue and justice. For first-century Jews, it was deeply connected to the Law (Torah) and living in covenant faithfulness to God. Jesus and the New Testament authors, particularly Paul, transformed the concept by grounding it not in human achievement of the law, but in God's gracious action through Christ, fulfilling the law's ultimate requirement.

κρίσις (krisis, G2920) — emphasizes the act of judgment or decision, more focused on the legal process. ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos, G38) — holiness or sanctification, focusing on being set apart and purified for God. εἰρήνη (eirēnē, G1515) — peace, often as the result or companion of righteousness. δικαίωμα (dikaiōma, G1345) — a righteous deed, regulation, or act of justice, focusing on a specific righteous requirement or act.

Word Details

Scripture References