Question 190: What is righteousness?

Answer:

Righteousness is the state of being right with God. It is both a gift and a calling: I am made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness for me, and I am called to live righteously by walking in obedience to God’s commands. True righteousness is rooted in love for God and neighbor and reflects the holiness and justice of Christ. (Romans 3:21–22, Philippians 3:9, Matthew 5:6, 1 John 3:7)

Full Scripture References

“But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” — Romans 3:21–22 (BSB)

“…not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.” — Philippians 3:9 (BSB)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5:6 (BSB)

“Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.” — 1 John 3:7 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

Righteousness means being right with God and living rightly before Him. In the Gospel, righteousness is first a gift—Christ’s perfect obedience and atoning death are credited to me by faith. This is justification: I am declared righteous not because of what I have done, but because of what Christ has done for me.

But righteousness is also a calling: because I have been justified, I must now live as one who belongs to God. This is sanctification—growing in righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit, practicing justice, mercy, humility, and faithfulness. Righteousness is not legalism, nor is it self-righteousness. It is the fruit of a heart transformed by grace and conformed to Christ.

Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “Righteousness is not a moral scorecard—it is a restored relationship. It begins in grace and results in a life marked by truth, justice, and love.”

Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) explains, “We are declared righteous through faith in Christ, but we are not left unchanged. The truly righteous man not only believes, he obeys. Righteousness is both imputed and lived.”

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer affirms this in the Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity: “Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful: that we, who cannot do anything that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will.”

J.C. Ryle wrote, “True righteousness is not external—it is heart-deep. It does not boast, but it obeys. It does not seek applause, but pleases God. It is the life of Christ in the soul.” (Practical Religion, 1878)

Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “Righteousness is not perfection—it’s a posture of the heart and a pattern of life. When we receive Christ, we receive His righteousness—and we are called to walk in it daily.”

Righteousness glorifies Christ because it reveals His saving grace and reflects His holy character. It is both the foundation of the Christian’s hope and the evidence of the Christian’s life.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–200 AD): “Through faith, we are made righteous; through righteousness, we live justly. The Spirit unites us to Christ and forms us into His likeness.” — Against Heresies, 4.13.1

St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “The righteousness of God is given, not earned. And once received, it leads to a life of obedience—not to earn His love, but to walk in it.” — On the Spirit and the Letter, 9

St. Basil the Great (c. 330–379 AD): “Righteousness is not merely avoiding sin—it is doing what is right before God, with a heart filled with charity and a life marked by truth.” — Homily on Psalm 1

St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD): “The righteous man is not sinless, but repentant. He trusts in Christ and lives in reverence, turning from evil and doing good.” — Homily on Romans, 8