Luke 1:6

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And {G1161} they were {G2258} both {G297} righteous {G1342} before {G1799} God {G2316}, walking {G4198} in {G1722} all {G3956} the commandments {G1785} and {G2532} ordinances {G1345} of the Lord {G2962} blameless {G273}.

Both of them were righteous before God, observing all the mitzvot and ordinances of ADONAI blamelessly.

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Luke 1:6 introduces Zechariah and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, highlighting their exceptional character and standing before God. This verse sets the stage for the miraculous birth and significant role of their son in preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse immediately follows the introduction of Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah, and his wife Elisabeth, who was also of the priestly lineage of Aaron. Living during the reign of Herod the Great, a time of Roman rule and Jewish anticipation for the Messiah, their lives are presented as a model of devotion. Despite their advanced age and barrenness, a source of social stigma in that culture, their spiritual integrity was unwavering. Their story is crucial for understanding the divine intervention that would lead to the birth of John, the forerunner of the Messiah, as detailed later in Luke 1:13.

Key Themes

  • Righteousness Before God: The phrase "righteous before God" signifies that their uprightness was not merely an outward show for human approval, but an authentic spiritual standing recognized and approved by God Himself. This implies a deep, internal commitment to His will and ways.
  • Obedience to God's Law: "Walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord" emphasizes their active, consistent obedience to the Mosaic Law. This was a lifestyle of intentional adherence to God's revealed will, encompassing both moral commands and religious rituals. Their faith was demonstrated through their actions.
  • Blameless Living: To be "blameless" does not imply sinless perfection, but rather a life of integrity, free from legitimate accusation concerning their conduct and devotion. They lived in such a way that no one could justly find fault with their commitment to God, echoing the description of Noah as blameless in his generation. This quality made them suitable vessels for God's divine plan.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "righteous" is dikaios (δίκαιος), meaning just, upright, or conforming to God's standard. It speaks to their moral and spiritual integrity. The term "blameless" comes from the Greek amemptos (ἄμεμπτος), which means irreproachable, faultless, or without censure. This highlights their unblemished reputation and consistent walk of faith in the eyes of both God and man.

Significance and Application

Zechariah and Elisabeth serve as a powerful example of faithful living in an imperfect world. Their story reminds us that God values consistent obedience and a heart dedicated to Him, even when circumstances are challenging or unfulfilled (like their barrenness). Their righteousness was a foundational quality that God honored by choosing them to play a pivotal role in salvation history. For believers today, their lives encourage us to strive for a similar integrity, demonstrating our faith through a consistent walk of obedience to God's Word, seeking to live a life worthy of the Lord in all respects. Their example underscores that true spiritual worth is measured by God's assessment, not human opinion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 7:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

  • Genesis 17:1

    ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

  • 1 Kings 9:4

    And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, [and] wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

  • Philippians 2:15

    That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

  • Acts 24:16

    And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:13

    To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

  • Job 1:1

    ¶ There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

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