Isaiah 57:12

KJV

I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will declare {H5046} thy righteousness {H6666}, and thy works {H4639}; for they shall not profit {H3276} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will expose your [so-called] 'righteousness'; and what you have done won't help you.

Berean Standard Bible

I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.

American Standard Version

I will declare thy righteousness; and as for thy works, they shall not profit thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:12 delivers a stark divine declaration, exposing the utter futility of human self-righteousness and personal efforts in securing divine favor or salvation. In this pronouncement, God reveals His intent to lay bare the true nature of the people's perceived goodness and deeds, which, when measured against His holy standard, prove to be entirely unprofitable and incapable of providing any genuine benefit or security. This verse powerfully underscores the biblical truth that salvation and true standing before God cannot be earned through human merit or works, highlighting humanity's inherent inability to justify itself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57 is situated within a significant prophetic section of the book (chapters 56-66) that masterfully interweaves themes of judgment and salvation, condemnation and comfort. Specifically, chapter 57 serves as a stern prelude to the glorious promises of restoration and divine comfort found in subsequent chapters, such as [Isaiah 58](/isaiah/58 "Isaiah 58 - True Fasting and Restoration") and [Isaiah 59](/isaiah/59 "Isaiah 59 - Confession of Sin and Promise of Redemption"). Before offering hope, the prophet meticulously exposes the deep spiritual decay and moral corruption prevalent among the Israelites. The preceding verses ([Isaiah 57:3-11](/isaiah/57-3-11 "Isaiah 57:3-11 - Israel's Idolatry and Unfaithfulness")) vividly describe their rampant idolatry, engagement in pagan rituals, pursuit of security through false alliances, and their profound abandonment of the Lord, whom they had forsaken for "other gods" (cf. [Isaiah 57:5](/isaiah/57-5 "Isaiah 57:5 - Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")). Verse 12, therefore, functions as a divine verdict on these sinful practices, declaring that any "righteousness" or "works" they might claim for themselves in the midst of such apostasy are utterly worthless and will be exposed as such by God Himself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 57, whether interpreted as pertaining to pre-exilic Judah or during the Babylonian exile, consistently points to a period of profound spiritual decline and national crisis. The people of Judah had adopted the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, engaging in cultic prostitution, child sacrifice (explicitly mentioned in [Isaiah 57:5](/isaiah/57-5 "Isaiah 57:5 - Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")), and seeking political alliances with foreign powers rather than trusting in the Lord (cf. [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). In this context, the "righteousness" and "works" referenced in verse 12 are not God-given righteousness but rather the people's own perceived goodness, their outward religious observances (perhaps sacrifices or rituals performed without a true heart for God), or their reliance on human ingenuity, political maneuvering, or even the supposed efficacy of their pagan gods. The cultural landscape was one where syncretism flourished, blurring the lines between true worship of Yahweh and the practices of surrounding polytheistic religions, leading to a false sense of security based on their own efforts rather than on God's covenant faithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 57:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Futility of Self-Righteousness and Human Effort**. The core message is that any human attempt to achieve righteousness, salvation, or divine favor through one's own deeds, perceived moral standing, or religious observances is utterly unprofitable and cannot stand before God's holy scrutiny. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing that true righteousness comes from God alone, not from human striving (cf. [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags")). Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Judgment on False Piety and Hypocrisy**. God sees beyond outward appearances and condemns those who trust in their own merits or external rituals rather than genuine faith, humility, and obedience to Him. Their "works" are tainted by unfaithfulness, idolatry, and a lack of true devotion, rendering them unacceptable. This divine discernment is a recurring motif (cf. [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). Lastly, it affirms the **Sovereignty and Unyielding Standard of God's Declaration**. It is God Himself who declares and judges, emphasizing His supreme authority and His unwavering demand for holiness and truth. His verdict on human efforts is final and absolute, leaving no room for self-justification.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root properly means "to front," "to stand boldly out opposite," and by implication, "to manifest" or "to announce." Figuratively, it denotes announcing by word of mouth to one present, specifically to "expose," "predict," or "explain." In Isaiah 57:12, God is not merely stating a fact; He is actively and forcefully revealing or exposing the true nature of their "righteousness" and "works." The verb implies a public, undeniable pronouncement that brings hidden realities into the light, leaving no room for dispute or self-deception regarding their spiritual state.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** Derived from the root "to be right," this term refers to "rightness" in various senses: abstractly (rectitude), subjectively (moral uprightness), objectively (justice), or even figuratively (prosperity). Here, it refers to the people's own perceived "rightness" or moral standing. Crucially, it is *their* righteousness, not God's. The context implies a self-generated, outward display of piety or moral conduct that they believe should earn them favor, but which God declares to be fundamentally flawed and insufficient when measured against His perfect standard.
* **profit (Hebrew, _yaʻal'_):** This primitive root means "to ascend," but figuratively, it signifies "to be valuable," "useful," or "benefited." The phrase "shall not profit thee" (לֹא יוֹעִילוּ לָךְ) conveys absolute uselessness, worthlessness, and a complete lack of benefit or advantage. It emphasizes that despite any human effort or claim to righteousness, these actions will yield no positive outcome, no salvation, no security, and no divine approval. They are utterly ineffectual for their intended purpose of gaining favor with God or averting His judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will declare thy righteousness,"**: This opening clause is a divine declaration. The "I" is Yahweh, the sovereign God, asserting His authority. He states His intention to make known, to expose, or to reveal the true nature of "thy righteousness." The "thy" refers to the unfaithful people of Judah. This is not a declaration of *God's* righteousness, but a divine assessment and unveiling of *their* self-proclaimed or perceived righteousness, which is implicitly contrasted with God's perfect and unblemished standard.
* **"and thy works;"**: This clause extends the divine declaration to include all of their "works" or deeds. Just as their "righteousness" is subject to divine scrutiny and exposure, so too are all their actions. These "works" encapsulate their religious observances, moral conduct, political strategies, and any other human efforts by which they sought to establish their standing or secure their future, apart from genuine faith and obedience to God. These are the external manifestations of their self-righteousness.
* **"for they shall not profit thee."**: This concluding clause provides the reason and the devastating verdict. The conjunction "for" (כִּי) explains *why* God will declare their righteousness and works: because they are utterly useless and will bring no benefit to the people. Despite any perceived value or merit they might ascribe to their own efforts, God's judgment is that these will not "profit" them in any way—they will not secure their salvation, protect them from judgment, or earn them divine favor. This pronouncement underscores the absolute insufficiency of human striving in the face of divine holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking force. The most prominent is **Divine Speech**, as the verse is a direct declaration from God Himself ("I will declare"), lending immense authority and finality to the pronouncement. This is not a human opinion but a divine verdict. There is also a strong element of **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, as the verse implicitly contrasts the people's perceived "righteousness" and "works" with God's true standard of righteousness, highlighting the vast chasm between human effort and divine perfection. The very act of God declaring their "righteousness" and "works" to be unprofitable carries a subtle **Irony**; what they consider to be their strength or merit is precisely what God exposes as their weakness and futility. Finally, the phrase "they shall not profit thee" is a form of **Litotes**, a rhetorical understatement that uses a negative to emphasize the opposite positive. It doesn't just mean they won't *help* much, but that they are utterly, completely, and disastrously useless for their intended purpose, leading to ruin rather than rescue.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:12 stands as a profound Old Testament precursor to the New Testament's emphasis on salvation by grace through faith, rather than by human works. It articulates the fundamental theological truth that humanity, in its fallen state, cannot achieve a righteous standing before a holy God through its own efforts, moral performance, or religious rituals. The "righteousness" and "works" of the unfaithful are exposed as tainted by sin, self-interest, and a lack of genuine devotion, rendering them unacceptable in God's sight. This declaration highlights the absolute necessity of a divine intervention for humanity's redemption, setting the stage for the revelation of God's righteousness provided through Christ. It underscores that any attempt to earn salvation or favor apart from God's gracious provision is a futile endeavor, leading only to condemnation rather than life.
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Justification by Faith, Not Works")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved by His Mercy, Not Works of Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:12 issues a timeless and vital warning against any form of self-reliance or self-justification in our spiritual lives. It compels us to undertake a rigorous and honest self-examination, asking ourselves where our ultimate trust truly lies. Do we subtly, perhaps even unconsciously, place our confidence in our good deeds, our religious observances, our moral conduct, our intellectual achievements, or our perceived spiritual maturity as a means to earn God's favor or secure our salvation? This verse shatters such illusions, reminding us that our best efforts, when viewed through the lens of God's perfect holiness, are utterly insufficient and will ultimately "not profit" us. True peace, genuine righteousness, and lasting security come only from God, through His sovereign grace and the atoning work of Christ, not from our own striving. This passage calls us to profound humility, to abandon all confidence in the flesh, and to turn wholeheartedly to God, acknowledging our complete dependence on His mercy and provision. It reminds us that only God's righteousness, freely given and imputed to us through faith, can truly profit us and secure our eternal standing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly relying on my own "righteousness" or "works" rather than fully trusting in God's grace?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what it means to be truly "good" or "righteous" in God's eyes?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God alone for my salvation and daily living?**
* **How does the futility of human works, as declared in this verse, amplify the preciousness and necessity of God's grace?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "righteousness" and "works" is Isaiah 57:12 referring to?**

Answer: The "righteousness" and "works" mentioned here refer specifically to the self-generated, human-centered efforts and perceived moral standing of the unfaithful people of Judah. In the context of [Isaiah 57](/isaiah/57 "Isaiah 57 - Idolatry and False Security"), these are not acts of genuine faith or obedience to God, but rather outward religious observances, moral claims, or even reliance on pagan rituals and political alliances that the people might have believed would secure their favor with God or protect them from judgment. God declares that these efforts, tainted by idolatry and spiritual apostasy, are utterly worthless and will yield no true benefit. This contrasts sharply with the righteousness that comes from God by faith, which is His perfect standard and His gracious gift.

**Does this verse mean that good deeds or moral living are worthless for believers?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean that good deeds or moral living are worthless for believers. Rather, it clarifies their *purpose* and *source*. Isaiah 57:12 condemns works done out of self-righteousness or as a means to *earn* salvation or divine favor. For those who are already in a relationship with God through faith, good works are the *fruit* and *evidence* of genuine faith, not the *root* or *cause* of salvation. As [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works") states, believers are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." These works are a response to God's grace, an expression of love for Him and others, and a means by which God's glory is displayed, but they never serve as a basis for earning salvation or meriting divine approval.

**How does Isaiah 57:12 relate to the New Testament concept of faith and works?**

Answer: Isaiah 57:12 provides a crucial Old Testament foundation for the New Testament's teaching on faith and works. It foreshadows the Apostle Paul's clear articulation that salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast" ([Ephesians 2:9](/ephesians/2-9 "Ephesians 2:9 - Salvation Not by Works")). The futility of human "righteousness" and "works" declared in Isaiah underscores the necessity of God's grace and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, as expounded in books like [Romans](/romans/1 "The Book of Romans") and [Galatians](/galatians/1 "The Book of Galatians"). While James emphasizes that "faith without works is dead" ([James 2:26](/james/2-26 "James 2:26 - Faith Without Works is Dead")), this refers to works as the *demonstration* and *validation* of true, living faith, not as a means of earning salvation. Both testaments consistently teach that human efforts cannot save, but genuine faith will always result in a transformed life that produces good works.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:12's stark declaration that human righteousness and works "shall not profit thee" finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This Old Testament verdict on the utter insufficiency of human effort powerfully sets the stage for the New Covenant, where God provides the perfect righteousness that humanity could never achieve. Christ is the one in whom all human striving for self-justification is rendered obsolete, for He perfectly fulfilled the Law and offered Himself as the spotless Lamb, becoming our righteousness. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness") proclaims, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The "profit" that was impossible through human works is now freely given through faith in Christ. His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection constitute the only "works" that truly profit humanity, securing reconciliation with God and eternal life. Believers are called to count their own former "gains" as "loss for the sake of Christ," desiring to "be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ" ([Philippians 3:7-9](/philippians/3-7-9 "Philippians 3:7-9 - Paul's Gain is Loss for Christ")). Thus, Isaiah 57:12, in its condemnation of human futility, implicitly points to the indispensable need for the divine provision found solely in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 3:2

Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Jeremiah 7:4

Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.

Jeremiah 7:11

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

Matthew 23:13

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Isaiah 1:11

To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.