δικαίωσις (dikaiōsis)
dikaiōsis
justification
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun dikaiōsis refers to the act of pronouncing someone righteous or acquitted of guilt. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Paul’s letter to the Romans (4:25 and 5:18). It describes God’s legal declaration that frees a person from blame and makes them acceptable to Him.
This term is closely related to the verb dikaioō, but it emphasizes the result or state of being justified rather than the action itself. While the verb focuses on the process of declaring righteous, the noun points to the standing of acquittal that follows. Paul uses it to highlight how Christ’s resurrection secured this right status for believers.
Translators typically render dikaiōsis as "justification," a term that carries strong legal connotations in English. It does not imply moral improvement but rather a change in legal standing before God. This distinction helps readers understand that justification is about being declared innocent, not about becoming sinless through human effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dikaiōsis points to a profound shift in your standing before God. It is not about earning merit or achieving moral perfection through your own efforts. Instead, it describes a legal declaration where God pronounces you righteous. This status is secured by Christ’s resurrection, which confirms that the work of atonement was complete and accepted.
When you read Romans 5:18, you see how one act of righteousness brings justification to life for all who believe. This means you are no longer defined by past failures or condemnation. You are freed from blame and made acceptable to God. This assurance allows you to rest in His grace rather than striving for approval.
This truth offers deep comfort. Your value is not based on your performance but on Christ’s finished work. As you face daily challenges, remember that your position in Him is secure. You can approach God with confidence, knowing you are accepted by faith alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- justification2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δικαίωσιν2×
Key Verses
-
Romans 4:25
who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.
This verse links justification directly to the resurrection, showing that Christ's rising from the dead secured our acquittal.
-
Romans 5:18
So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
Here the term describes the result of one righteous act leading to justification and life for all who believe.