|
Matthew 5:6
The Greek word for "righteousness" is dikaiosyne (Strong's #1343). In the book of Matthew, dikaiosyne specifically does not carry the sense of imputed righteousness. Protestant theology demands that it does; Matthew does not. That sense of dikaiosyne, imputed righteousness, does not appear anywhere in Matthew's gospel. Nor does it deal with political or social justice to any great extent. In Matthew, "righteousness" is personal righteousness as it comes out in conduct: right-doing. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "While dikaiosyne, righteousness, can be translated as justice, that sense is only faintly present. Of course, the poor, the grieving, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, all want God's justice to come and solve their earthly problems or redeem them from their troubles. But dikaiosyne has a different emphasis in Matthew." Then Vine tells us, "see 3:15," meaning see Matthew 3:15: "But Jesus answered and said to [John the Baptist], 'Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed Him [to be be baptized]" (emphasis ours).
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Those Who Hunger and Thirst
|
