Questions for 1/25: Justice

The Christian Virtues
Discussion Sheet #6
Justice


1. Definitions
The Greek word dikē (pronounced dee-KAY) is the root word for the for the English words just (dikaios), justice (dikaia), righteous (dikaios), righteousness (dikaiosune) and justification (dikaioō). As this etymology suggests, “justice” is a virtue in the Bible that encompasses more than the ordinary notion of fair or equitable action or judgment. Based on your understanding of the other words listed above, what else might the biblical virtue of “justice” include?

2. Divine Justice/Righteousness
As with the other virtues, the justice that is to be part of the Christian’s character is a reflection of the character of God. What does the following first set of verses tell us about the nature of God’s justice (there are many, many more passage, both from OT and NT, that we could look at)? What does the second set of verses reveal about the character of Jesus Christ?

Jeremiah 9:24
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 3:21-25
Romans 9:14
2 Corinthians 9:9
1 Thessalonians 4:6; 2 Thess 1:6, 8
2 Thessalonians 1:6
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Hebrews 6:10


Matthew 27:19
Luke 23:41, 47
John 5:30
Acts 3:14
Acts 7:52
Acts 22:14
Romans 5:18
1 Corinthians 1:30
2 Timothy 4:8
1 John 2:1


3. Human Justice/Righteousness

In class, we will discuss the relationship between the concepts of “justice” and “righteousness.” As you read the following sets of verses, develop a biblically-based definition for the two terms and be prepared to explain the nature of the relationship between the two terms.


a. Justice:
Isaiah 1:17
Amos 5:24
John 7:24
Colossians 4:1


b. Righteousness:
Matthew 5:6
Matthew 5:10
Matthew 25:37
Acts 24:25
Romans 3:10
Romans 6:13
Romans 6:16
Philippians 3:9
Philippians 4:8
1 Timothy 6:11
2 Timothy 2:22
2 Timothy 3:16
Hebrews 12:23
Titus 1:8
Titus 2:12
Titus 3:5


4. False Justice/Righteousness

In what ways can justice/righteousness be false?

Matthew 23:28
Luke 10:29
Luke 16:15
Luke 18:9-11
Luke 20:20
2 Corinthians 11:15


5. In what ways is justice associated with the final Day of Judgment when Christ returns?

Matthew 13:43
Acts 17:31
Romans 2:5
Revelation 6:10



6. Practices of Justice/Righteousness

a. What fate is commonly attributed to the just/righteous ones of God?

Matthew 23:35
Luke 23:47
James 5:6

b. What do the following verses from 1 Peter suggest are practices of the just/righteous person?

1 Peter 3:12 (cf. James 5:16)
1 Peter 2:19
1 Peter 2:23
1 Peter 3:14