Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6600 Aspects of salvation  »  6676 justification  »  6677 justification, necessity of

Sinful, law-breaking humanity needs a means of justification because of its failure to keep God's law and live up to God's requirements.

Justification in human relationships

The acquittal of the innocent

Deuteronomy 25:1 See also Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 43:9,26; Romans 8:33

Justification of oneself

Job 32:2 See also Luke 10:29; Luke 16:15; Luke 18:9-14

The need for justification

The reality of God's righteousness

Psalm 11:7 See also Psalm 33:5; Psalm 35:28; Jeremiah 23:6; Matthew 6:33; John 17:25; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:22

The reality of God's justice

Psalm 9:8 See also Job 36:3; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 33:5; Isaiah 5:16; Jeremiah 9:24; Luke 18:7; Revelation 19:11

The reality of God's judgment

Genesis 18:25 See also Judges 11:27; Psalm 51:4; Micah 6:2; Matthew 12:36; Romans 2:16

The reality of God's law

James 4:12 See also Exodus 20:2-17 pp Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Psalm 19:7; Isaiah 33:22; Romans 7:12,16; Romans 8:3-4; 1 Timothy 1:8

Human guilt shows the need for justification

Psalm 143:2 See also Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8,10

People are unable to justify themselves, even through the law

Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20-21; Galatians 2:15-16 See also Amos 4:4; Matthew 5:20; Luke 10:29; Luke 16:15; Luke 18:9-14; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:2-3; Galatians 2:11 Paul opposes Peter's position on circumcision; Galatians 5:4; Philippians 3:4-8

See also

1075  God, justice of
1125  God, righteousness
1310  God as judge
2321  Christ as redeemer
5375  law
6020  sin
7334  circumcision
8822  self-justification
9210  judgment, God's