Jesus speaks about two kinds of righteousness. About the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and about the righteousness by faith. Unless our righteousness is by faith, we shall not enter the kingdom of God.

The word ‘righteousness’ means that everyone should be given his due. The Word of God says: “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23) and “All have sinned” (Rom 3:23). Thus, all people justly deserve death for sin, and not only temporal death but also eternal one, i.e. separation from God – hell.

What does the righteousness of God consist in which allows us to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus Christ, true God, became man and bore the just punishment on the cross for sin, i.e. death. He who believes in Christ, that means, receives salvation by His death, will be saved – will enter the kingdom of God – will attain heaven. Jesus endured punishment on my behalf and He gives me eternal life freely – I only need to receive it, to believe in the love of God, and that is the saving faith. This righteousness of God exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. They appealed to observance of the law of God and supposed that this formal observance of law would bring them to heaven. Finally, they crucified the Saviour Himself because they considered themselves justified by their works. This is a deceit and self-delusion. No man will be saved by observing the Law of Moses. Salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ.

A) The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees

1) The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees is based on observance of the Law of Moses.

Can anyone be justified by the deeds of the law? Rom 3:20a

By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2) What does Jesus say about the scribes and Pharisees? Mt 23:1-3

The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.

3) Why does Jesus rebuke the Pharisees? Mt 23:13

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

4) What do the Pharisees make of proselytes? Mt 23:15

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

5) What did the Pharisees neglect? Mt 23:23-24

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

6) Are the Pharisees righteous? Mt 23:28

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

7) How does Jesus call the Pharisees? Mt 23:33

Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

8) What is said about those who rely on the works of the law? Gal 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

9) Can anyone be justified by the law? Gal 3:11

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith”.

B) The righteousness by faith

1) How is righteousness revealed? Rom 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

2) What is written about the righteousness of God? Rom 3:21-22

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

3) Why have they not submitted to the righteousness of God? Rom 10:3

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

4) What is written about Christ and righteousness? Rom 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5) What did Christ become for us? 1Cor 1:30

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

6) What do we become in Christ? 2Cor 5:21

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

7) Does righteousness come through the law? Gal 2:21

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

8) What was accounted to Abraham for righteousness? Gal 3:6

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”.

9) Who are true sons of Abraham? Gal 3:7

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

10) Who does the blessing of Abraham come upon in Christ Jesus? Gal 3:14

…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

11) What is said about those who are in Christ? Gal 3:29

You are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

12) Enumerate the consequences of the circumcision of a Christian. Gal 5:2-4

Indeed, I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

13) What is our own righteousness based on and what is the righteousness which is from God based on? Phi 3:9

…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

(Bible quotations are taken from the New King James version)

Remember: Jesus and the Bible speak about two kinds of righteousness. There is righteousness which comes from observance of the Law of Moses, and there is righteousness based on the faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sake. The former – i.e. the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees – is not sufficient for salvation. There is salvation only on the basis of the righteousness by faith.

Download: Reflection on Mt 5:20