δικαιόω (dikaioō)
dikaioō
to justify
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb dikaioō means to declare someone righteous or innocent, shifting a person’s legal or moral status rather than merely describing their inner character. In both the New Testament and the Greek Old Testament (LXX), it often translates the Hebrew tsadaq, carrying a judicial tone where a judge pronounces a verdict of "not guilty" or "right." This is evident in Luke 18:14, where the humble tax collector goes home justified before God, contrasting with the Pharisee who remains condemned.
A key distinction lies in the basis of this declaration. Paul uses dikaioō extensively to argue that believers are declared righteous through faith in Christ, not by observing the law (Romans 3:28). This contrasts with James 2:24, who emphasizes that such justification is demonstrated by works. The word appears in legal contexts outside the Bible too, as seen in papyri where magistrates declare debts justly settled, mirroring how God settles the account of sinners.
Its root connects to dikaios, meaning "just" or "righteous." The action is decisive: it changes the standing of the person before God. Translators often render it as "justify," though this English term can sound abstract. In its original context, it is a powerful declaration of acquittal, freeing the accused from condemnation and restoring them to right relationship with the lawgiver.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dikaioō carries a heavy legal weight, describing a decisive shift in status rather than a gradual change in behavior. In the courtroom of heaven, it is the moment a judge strikes the gavel and declares the accused not guilty. This is not about earning a clean record through effort; it is about receiving a verdict of righteousness as a gift. When you read that believers are justified by faith, you are hearing that your standing before God has been secured by Christ’s work, not your own performance.
This truth offers profound relief for anyone who feels the weight of their past mistakes or current failures. You do not need to strive to become acceptable; you are declared acceptable through trust in Jesus. The tax collector in Luke 18 went home justified simply because he humbled himself, while the self-righteous Pharisee did not. This word invites you to rest in the assurance that God sees you through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice, freeing you from condemnation and inviting you into peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was justified4×
- is justified4×
- justifying3×
- will be justified2×
- to be justified2×
- having been justified2×
- you will be justified1×
- you were justified1×
- will justify1×
- will be justified.1×
- we may be justified;1×
- we may be justified1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐδικαιώθη5×
- δικαιοῦται3×
- δικαιωθήσεται2×
- δικαιωθέντες2×
- δικαιοῦντα2×
- ἐδικαίωσεν·1×
- ἐδικαίωσεν,1×
- ἐδικαίωσαν1×
- ἐδικαιώθητε1×
- ἐδικαιώθη,1×
- δικαιῶσαι1×
- δικαιῶν·1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 3:24
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
This verse highlights that justification is a free gift granted by grace through redemption, emphasizing it is not earned.
-
Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Here the word describes the humble tax collector receiving a verdict of righteousness from God, contrasting with self-exaltation.
-
Romans 3:28
We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Paul uses this term to argue that faith, rather than law-keeping, is the basis for being declared righteous before God.
-
Romans 5:1
Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
This occurrence connects the legal status of justification directly to the personal experience of peace with God.