from δίκαιος; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
Transliteration:dikaióō
Pronunciation:dik-ah-yo'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb dikaióō (`{{G1344}}`) is derived from the adjective díkaios (`{{G1342}}`), meaning "righteous" or "just." At its core, dikaióō means "to render just," "to declare righteous," or "to acquit." It is a forensic or legal term, signifying a judicial pronouncement rather than an inherent transformation of one's moral character, though moral transformation is a subsequent and related reality. The semantic range includes:
* To declare or pronounce someone righteous in a legal sense.
* To acquit, to free from guilt, to pardon.
* To demonstrate or show to be righteous, to vindicate.
* To treat as righteous.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb dikaióō appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Pauline epistles, where it is central to the doctrine of justification.
In Paul's writings, dikaióō consistently refers to God's act of declaring sinners righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the works of the Law.
* [[Romans 3:24]] states that believers are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Here, justification is a gracious, unmerited act of God.
* [[Romans 3:28]] explicitly contrasts justification by faith with justification by works: "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law." This highlights the divine initiative and the human inability to earn righteousness.
* [[Romans 5:1]] presents the immediate result: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
* [[Galatians 2:16]] reinforces this, stating that "a person is not justified by works of the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ." This underscores the radical break from a works-based righteousness.
* [[Galatians 3:8]] connects this concept to Abraham, noting that "the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham."
The book of James employs dikaióō in a manner that, on the surface, appears to contradict Paul.
* [[James 2:21]] asks, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?"
* [[James 2:24]] concludes, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
This usage of dikaióō in James refers to the *demonstration* or *evidence* of genuine faith through righteous actions, rather than the initial forensic declaration of righteousness before God. True faith, according to James, is a living faith that produces works, thereby showing itself to be authentic.
Other significant occurrences include:
* [[Luke 7:29]]: "And when all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God's justice (lit. 'justified God')." Here, it means to acknowledge or declare someone (God) righteous.
* [[Luke 16:15]]: "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men." This refers to self-vindication or seeking to appear righteous before others.
* [[1 Timothy 3:16]]: "He who was revealed in the flesh, Was justified in the Spirit." This refers to Christ's vindication and demonstration of His righteousness, particularly through His resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
Dikaióō (`{{G1344}}`) is part of a significant word group rooted in díkaios (`{{G1342}}`, "righteous, just"). Other key cognates include:
* dikaiosýnē (`{{G1343}}`): "righteousness," "justice." This noun form is often used in theological discussions interchangeably with the concept of justification.
* dikaiōma (`{{G1345}}`): "righteous act," "ordinance," "just requirement."
* dikaiōsis (`{{G1347}}`): "justification," referring to the act or state of being justified.
These words collectively articulate the biblical understanding of God's justice and the means by which humanity can be rightly related to Him. Related theological concepts include atonement, redemption, imputation (of Christ's righteousness), grace, faith, law, and works.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of dikaióō is profound, forming a cornerstone of Christian soteriology (the doctrine of salvation).
* **Divine Act:** Justification is fundamentally an act of God. It is not something humans achieve through their efforts but something God graciously declares.
* **Forensic Declaration:** It is a legal declaration in the divine courtroom. God, as the righteous Judge, declares the sinner "not guilty" and "righteous" in Christ. This declaration changes one's legal standing before God.
* **Basis in Christ's Work:** The ground for justification is exclusively the finished work of Jesus Christ—His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer.
* **Means is Faith:** Paul consistently teaches that justification is received by faith (pístis, `{{G4102}}`) alone, not by adherence to the Law or human merits. This emphasizes the radical nature of God's grace and humanity's utter dependence on it.
* **Reconciliation:** Justification brings about peace with God ([[Romans 5:1]]), reconciling alienated humanity to their Creator. It is the gateway to all other blessings of salvation.
* **Harmony of Paul and James:** The apparent tension between Paul's emphasis on faith and James's on works is typically resolved by understanding that Paul addresses the *means* by which one is declared righteous before God (faith alone), while James addresses the *evidence* that demonstrates the genuineness of that faith to others (works). True, saving faith is never alone but is always accompanied by the fruit of obedience.
### Summary
The Greek verb dikaióō (`{{G1344}}`) signifies "to declare righteous," "to acquit," or "to justify." It is a pivotal term in the New Testament, particularly in the Pauline epistles, where it describes God's gracious act of declaring sinful human beings righteous in His sight. This declaration is not earned through human works or adherence to the Law but is freely given by God's grace, based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and received through faith ([[Romans 3:24]], [[Galatians 2:16]]). While Paul focuses on the forensic aspect of justification as a divine pronouncement, James uses dikaióō to highlight how true faith is *demonstrated* or *vindicated* through righteous actions, thereby proving its authenticity ([[James 2:24]]). Thus, dikaióō encapsulates both the radical nature of God's grace in salvation and the necessary outworking of genuine faith in a transformed life, establishing the believer's new, righteous standing before a holy God.
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