Righteousness in Romans (5) Dikaio

The Greek word “dikaio” is usually translated as “justify” or “make righteous” in English versions of the New Testament. The way that we translate this word has a significant impact on our understanding of the good news. According to one lectionary, the word can mean “rectify”, “set right”, “correct”, “indicate”, or “justify”. The core meaning is “to rectify” or “put right”.

An important issue for understanding Paul’s message is that how things are “rectified” or “put right” depends on what was not right.

• If a child is lost after wandering into a forest, being rectified means being found and taken home to their family.

• If my foot is caught in a bear trap while out tramping, my leg would need to be freed and healed for my situation to be rectified.

• If I have lost my wallet while out walking, someone can rectify the solution by finding it and returning it unharmed to me.

The meaning of “rectify” or “put right” depends on what is actually wrong. We cannot just assume that we know what “dikaio” means in a particular context. We must not presume it means “justify” or “make righteous” because that would only be correct if that meaning reflected the nature of what is wrong with us. To understand the solution, we need to know what the original problem was. To understand the meaning of “dikaio”, we must get a clear understanding of our core problem.

Righteousness
Translating “dikaio” as “make righteous” implies that our problem is unrighteousness. However, lack of righteousness is not our problem. Righteousness is a characteristic of God, like perfection, that is not attainable by finite humans. I do not understand why anyone would want to be declared righteous, as it would not be true. None of us is righteous. I know that I have done things wrong that I am ashamed of. Anyone wanting to be righteous is seeking to be like God, or perhaps to be their own God.

It is good that I know that I have failed to be perfect, and that I feel ashamed of the really bad things I have done. That is honest humility, which equips me to serve God better and love his people without pretending that I am something that I am not.

• My sharing of the gospel will be more real if I am still aware of my sins. Paul’s testimony had real integrity because he was open about the evil he had done before he encountered Jesus. The gospel of people who believe they are righteous will often fall flat.

• I will be more effective in shepherding new Christians if I am honest about my own sins and my own weakness. I do not need to be righteous to care for others.