Characteristics of Justice

Characteristics of Justice

  • Justice does not appear in the New Testament of the KJV.
  • These passages name justice (or being just) as an attribute of God.  In some places, right (or righteous or righteousness) has been used to translate the word usually translated just.  Most occasions of righteous or righteousness should be just.
    • Genesis 18:19  “…to keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice”
    • Deuteronomy 33:21  “[Gad] administered the justice of the Lord.”
    • Psalm 89:14  “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.”
    • Proverbs 1:3  “To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity.”
    • Isaiah 9:6 – 7  “For unto us a Child is born…Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forevermore.”
    • Jeremiah 23:5  “…that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”
    • Jeremiah 50:7  …they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice.”
    • Nehemiah 9:33  “You are just in all that has befallen us.”
    • Isaiah 45:21  “There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior.”
    • Zephaniah 3:5  Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails.”
    • Zechariah 9:9  “Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey.”
    • Acts 3:14  “You denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted you.”
    • Acts 7:52 “And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One.”
    • Acts 22:14  “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will and see the Just One.”
    • Romans 3:26  “…that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has the faith of Jesus.”
    • 1 Peter 3:18  “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust…”
    • Revelation 15:3  “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty.  Just and true are your ways.”
    • Psalm 119:75  “Thy judgments are just”
    • 2 Chronicles 12:6  “The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is righteous.”
    • Ezra 9:15  “O Lord of Israel, You are righteous.”
    • Nehemiah 9:8  “You have performed Your words for You are righteous.”
    • Psalm 7:9  “…for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.”
    • Psalm 11:7  “For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness.
    • Psalm 19:9  “The judgments of the Lord and true and righteous altogether.”
    • Psalm 116:5  “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; yes, our Lord is merciful.”
    • Psalm 119:137  “Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright in your judgments.”
    • Psaml 129:4  “The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.”
    • Psalm 145:17  “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.”
    • Many more, “The Lord is righteous.”
  • Characteristics of being just (righteous)
    • Psalm 37:21  “The righteous shows mercy and gives.”  Shows mercy and gives.  See also v 26, 30)
    • Jeremiah 50:7  …they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice.”  Sin is against justice.
    • Romans 3:26  “…that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has the faith of Jesus.”  Justice was not suspended by the faith system.
    • Revelation 15:3  “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty.  Just and true are your ways.”  Justice is true.
    • Psalm 19:9  “The judgments of the Lord and true and righteous altogether.”
    • Nehemiah 9:8  “You have performed Your words for You are righteous.”  Justice results in being trustworthy.
    • Psalm 7:9  “…for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.”  Justice tests humans.
  • Summary
    • Righteousness and justice are used interchangeably by translators.
    • Sin is against justice specifically.
    • Justice and faith are not incompatible.
    • The demands of justice promote trustworthiness, mercy.
    • Justice requires that interactions (communications or actions) be consistent, timely, and integrated.