Righteousness

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

What does "righteousness" mean?

Asked about the meaning of "righteousness," a typical response is "one that is righteous." This answer does not help define what righteousness really is.

Commentary: One of the Hebrew words translated into "righteous" is yashar (Strongs 3477 - straight, convenient, equity, just, meet, please well, right, straight, upright). The concept of equity is an easy definition to understand. It is very close to the unselfishness and light that is the opposite of the darkness and selfishness of sin (see Sin).

Old Testament

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Psalm 37:5-6 [5] Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. [6] And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Psalm 97:10-11 [10] Ye that love the Lord, hate evil; he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. [11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Commentary: Compare "love the Lord, hate evil" with the wording in Matthew 6:21-24, "No man can serve two masters." See the commentary for Matthew 6:21-24 in Sin for the connection between sin and darkness (selfishness) and that unselfishness results in light.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light

Psalm 97:10-11
[10] Ye that love the Lord, hate evil; he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
[11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Commentary: Compare "love the Lord, hate evil" with the wording in Matthew 6:21-24, "No man can serve two masters." See the commentary for Matthew 6:21-24 in Sin for the connection between sin and darkness (selfishness) and that unselfishness results in light.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Psalm 112:4 - Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Commentary: Here, again, light (unselfishness) is connected with righteousness

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Proverbs 13:9 - The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. Commentary: Here, again, light (unselfishness) is connected with righteousness.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Isaiah 42:6-7 [6] I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; [7] To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Righteousness is unselfishness (give bread, shelter, and clothing to the poor) - Key Verse -
Isaiah 58:7-8 [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? [8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

Righteousness is unselfishness (give bread, shelter, and clothing to the poor) - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Isaiah 58:7-8
[7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
[8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light
Micah 7:8-9 [8] Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. [9] I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness Commentary: Here, again, light (unselfishness) is connected with righteousness, in this case God's righteousness. God is love (1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love) - Love being perfect charity.

Righteousness is very close, if not the same, as light

Micah 7:8-9
[8] Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
[9] I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness

Commentary: Here, again, light (unselfishness) is connected with righteousness, in this case God's righteousness. God is love (1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love) - Love being perfect charity.

New Testament

These verses make the connection between light and unselfishness - Key Verse -
Matthew 6:21-24 [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Commentary: There is no better set of verses that describe the essence of the gospel. A "single eye", "good eye", or "bountiful eye" are Hebrew expressions and all refer to being unselfish (Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor). Likewise, an "evil eye" is the opposite, or selfishness (Deuteronomy 15:9 - The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; Proverbs 28:22 - He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him; Matthew 20:15 - Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?). Understanding that these verses talk about unselfishness ("eye be single") and selfishness ("eye be evil") makes the last verse very clear - a person cannot be both unselfish and selfish. You have to be one or the other. You either serve God (and be unselfish) or you serve the world (and be selfish). Unselfishness is connected with light and selfishness is connected with darkness. Note: The common misinterpretation of "eye be single" is "to be focused." This is substituting an English expression for a Hebrew expression and is not a correct interpretation.

These verses make the connection between light and unselfishness - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Matthew 6:21-24
[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
[23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Commentary: There is no better set of verses that describe the essence of the gospel. A "single eye", "good eye", or "bountiful eye" are Hebrew expressions and all refer to being unselfish (Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor). Likewise, an "evil eye" is the opposite, or selfishness (Deuteronomy 15:9 - The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; Proverbs 28:22 - He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him; Matthew 20:15 - Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?).

Understanding that these verses talk about unselfishness ("eye be single") and selfishness ("eye be evil") makes the last verse very clear - a person cannot be both unselfish and selfish. You have to be one or the other. You either serve God (and be unselfish) or you serve the world (and be selfish). Unselfishness is connected with light and selfishness is connected with darkness.

Note: The common misinterpretation of "eye be single" is "to be focused." This is substituting an English expression for a Hebrew expression and is not a correct interpretation.

Righteousness is light and unrighteousness is darkness
2 Corinthians 6:14 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Righteousness is unselfish - Key Verse -
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 [6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. [7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: [9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. [10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Commentary: 2 Corinthians 9:9 is identical in concept to Proverbs 22:9, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. The phrase "bountiful eye" is a Hebrew phrase for unselfishness (see Sin for a further explanation). This is consistent with the opposite meanings of the terms "sparingly" and "bountifully" in 2 Corinthians 9:6. Righteousness is unselfishness.

Righteousness is unselfish - Key Verse - Key Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Commentary: 2 Corinthians 9:9 is identical in concept to Proverbs 22:9, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. The phrase "bountiful eye" is a Hebrew phrase for unselfishness (see Sin for a further explanation). This is consistent with the opposite meanings of the terms "sparingly" and "bountifully" in 2 Corinthians 9:6. Righteousness is unselfishness.

Unrighteousness is darkness. God has no darkness - Key Verse -
1 John 1:5-9 [5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Commentary: Here, God is light. In 1 John 4:7-8, God is also described as love (1 John 4:7-8 [7] Beloved, let us love <agapao> one another: for love <agape> is of God; and every one that loveth <agapao> is born of God, and knoweth God. [8] He that loveth <agapao> not knoweth not God; for God is love <agape>). The Greek term "agape" is used. Greek has different words for love, agape (deep love), eros (erotic love), philia (loyalty), and storge (to put up with). In John 21:15-17 , Jesus tried to gauge Simon Peter's love for him, and the terms agapao and phileo show the differences between what was asked and Simon Peter's response. John 21:15-17 [15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love <phileo> thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest <agapao> thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love <phileo> thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest <phileo> thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. In ancient Greek, agape meant a "true love" deeper than eros (erotic love). Phileo (philia) meant a dispassionate, virtuous love similar to loyalty. In 1 Corinthians 13, agape is used and different Bible translations translate agape as either love or charity. At their deepest meaning, both are equal and it identifies that the "true love" of God is a love of charity and unselfishness. The connection between light and righteousness is also this description of the deep love of unselfishness.

Unrighteousness is darkness. God has no darkness - Key Verse - Key Scripture

1 John 1:5-9
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Commentary: Here, God is light. In 1 John 4:7-8, God is also described as love (1 John 4:7-8 [7] Beloved, let us love <agapao> one another: for love <agape> is of God; and every one that loveth <agapao> is born of God, and knoweth God. [8] He that loveth <agapao> not knoweth not God; for God is love <agape>). The Greek term "agape" is used. Greek has different words for love, agape (deep love), eros (erotic love), philia (loyalty), and storge (to put up with). In John 21:15-17 , Jesus tried to gauge Simon Peter's love for him, and the terms agapao and phileo show the differences between what was asked and Simon Peter's response.

John 21:15-17 [15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love <phileo> thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest <agapao> thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love <phileo> thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest <phileo> thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

In ancient Greek, agape meant a "true love" deeper than eros (erotic love). Phileo (philia) meant a dispassionate, virtuous love similar to loyalty. In 1 Corinthians 13, agape is used and different Bible translations translate agape as either love or charity. At their deepest meaning, both are equal and it identifies that the "true love" of God is a love of charity and unselfishness. The connection between light and righteousness is also this description of the deep love of unselfishness.

Book of Mormon

Righteousness is purity
2 Nephi 6:35 - And the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.

Righteousness is unselfishness - Key Verse -
Alma 1:19 - And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee, his blood would come upon us for vengeance;

Selfishness (pride) is not righteous - Key Verse -
Alma 4:4 - I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous; and thus they began to establish the order of the church in the city of Zarahemla.

Selfishness is not righteousness - Key Verse -
Helaman 2:157-158 [157] And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceeding wicked; [158] Yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.

Selfishness (doing iniquity) is contrary to righteousness - Key Verse -
Helaman 5:51-52 [51] But behold, your days of probation are past: ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation, until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; [52] Yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.

Selfishness (doing iniquity) is contrary to righteousness - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Helaman 5:51-52
[51] But behold, your days of probation are past: ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation, until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure;
[52] Yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.