Righteousness is “the character or quality of being right or just”. It is used to denote an attribute of God,…..that which is consistent with His own nature and promises; Romans 3:25&26 speaks of His “righteousness” as exhibited in the death of Christ, which is sufficient to show men that God is neither indifferent to sin nor regards it lightly. On the contrary, it demonstrates that quality of holiness in Him which must find expression in His condemnation of sin.

Righteousness is that gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man’s own, or by any other condition than that of faith in Christ…….The man who trusts in Christ becomes ‘the righteousness of God in Him’, II Cor. 5:21, i.e., becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in Himself. Because Abraham accepted the Word of God, making it his own by that act of the mind and spirit which is called faith, and, as the sequel showed, submitting himself to its control, therefore God accepted him as one who fulfilled the whole of His requirements.

For what does the Scripture say? ”Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3

*W.E. Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, page 535.