Topical Encyclopedia
The term "just" in the Bible is often synonymous with righteousness, fairness, and moral integrity. It is a key attribute of God and a standard to which believers are called to aspire. The concept of justice is deeply rooted in the character of God and is reflected in His laws and commandments.
Divine JusticeGod is frequently described as just in the Scriptures, emphasizing His fairness and impartiality.
Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse highlights the perfection of God's justice, underscoring that His actions are always right and equitable.
Human JusticeHumans are called to emulate God's justice in their own lives.
Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice." This indicates that God values ethical behavior and fairness over ritualistic offerings. The call to justice is a call to live in a way that reflects God's character, treating others with fairness and integrity.
Justice in the LawThe Mosaic Law provided a framework for justice among the Israelites.
Leviticus 19:15 instructs, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." This commandment underscores the importance of impartiality and fairness in legal matters, reflecting God's own just nature.
Justice and the ProphetsThe prophets frequently called Israel back to justice, condemning social injustices and urging the people to return to God's standards.
Micah 6:8 famously summarizes this call: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the essence of a life that pleases God, combining justice with mercy and humility.
Justice in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, justice continues to be a significant theme. Jesus Christ embodies perfect justice, and His teachings often address issues of fairness and righteousness. In
Matthew 23:23 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." Here, Jesus emphasizes that true adherence to God's law involves a commitment to justice.
Justification and JusticeThe concept of justification is closely related to justice. In Christian theology, justification refers to being declared righteous before God.
Romans 3:26 explains that God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement "to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus." Through faith in Christ, believers are justified, reflecting God's justice in providing a way for sinners to be made righteous.
Living JustlyBelievers are called to live justly as a reflection of their faith.
James 1:27 describes pure religion as "to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This involves active engagement in social justice and personal holiness, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in the life of a believer.
In summary, the biblical concept of "just" encompasses both the character of God and the ethical conduct expected of His people. It is a call to live in alignment with God's righteous standards, reflecting His justice in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Conforming or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any; violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; -- said both of persons and things.
2. (a.) Not transgressing the requirement of truth and propriety; conformed to the truth of things, to reason, or to a proper standard; exact; normal; reasonable; regular; due; as, a just statement; a just inference.
3. (a.) Rendering or disposed to render to each one his due; equitable; fair; impartial; as, just judge.
4. (adv.) Precisely; exactly; -- in place, time, or degree; neither more nor less than is stated.
5. (adv.) Closely; nearly; almost.
6. (adv.) Barely; merely; scarcely; only; by a very small space or time; as, he just missed the train; just too late.
7. (v. i.) To joust.
8. (n.) A joust.
Greek
5618. hosper -- just as, even as ... just as, even as. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hosper Phonetic Spelling:
(hoce'-per) Short Definition:
just as, as Definition:
just as, as, even as.
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5618.htm - 7k1738. endikos -- righteous, just
... righteous, just. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: endikos Phonetic Spelling:
(en'-dee-kos) Short Definition: righteous, just Definition: righteous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1738.htm - 6k
737. arti -- just now
... just now. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: arti Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-tee)
Short Definition: now, just now Definition: now, just now, at this moment. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/737.htm - 7k
2531. kathos -- according as, just as
... according as, just as. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: kathos Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-oce') Short Definition: just as, as Definition: according to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2531.htm - 6k
2531a. kathos -- according as, just as
... 2531, 2531a. kathos. 2531b . according as, just as. Transliteration:
kathos Short Definition: just. Word Origin from kata and hos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2531a.htm - 5k
2509. kathaper -- just as
... just as. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: kathaper Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-ap'-er) Short Definition: even as Definition: even as, just as. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2509.htm - 6k
1342. dikaios -- correct, righteous, by impl. innocent
... innocent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dikaios Phonetic Spelling:
(dik'-ah-yos) Short Definition: just, righteous, impartial Definition: just ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1342.htm - 8k
1341. dikaiokrisia -- righteous judgment
... judgment. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dikaiokrisia Phonetic
Spelling: (dik-ah-yok-ris-ee'-ah) Short Definition: just judgment Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1341.htm - 7k
3570. nuni -- now
... (a) of time: just now, even now; just at hand, immediately, (b) of logical connection:
now then, (c) in commands and appeals: at this instant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3570.htm - 7k
5619. hosperei -- as, as it were.
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hosperei Phonetic Spelling: (hoce-per-i')
Short Definition: just as if, as it were Definition: just as if, as it were. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5619.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
6662. tsaddiq -- just, righteous... 6661, 6662. tsaddiq. 6663 .
just, righteous. Transliteration: tsaddiq Phonetic
Spelling: (tsad-deek') Short Definition: righteous.
... just, lawful, righteous man
... /hebrew/6662.htm - 6k 6663. tsadeq -- to be just or righteous
... 6662, 6663. tsadeq or tsadoq. 6664 . to be just or righteous. Transliteration:
tsadeq or tsadoq Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-dak') Short Definition: righteous. ...
/hebrew/6663.htm - 6k
6664. tsedeq -- rightness, righteousness
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition rightness, righteousness NASB Word Usage
accurate (1), fairly (1), just (10), just cause (1), justice (3), righteous ...
/hebrew/6664.htm - 6k
389. ak -- surely, howbeit
... surely, howbeit NASB Word Usage altogether (1), certainly (1), completely (1), exactly
(2), except (1), hardly* (1), however (9), indeed (3), just (1), just* (1 ...
/hebrew/389.htm - 6k
3512c. kaasher -- according as, as, when
... 3512b, 3512c. kaasher. 3513 . according as, as, when. Transliteration:
kaasher Short Definition: just. Word Origin from a preposition ...
/hebrew/3512c.htm - 5k
3477. yashar -- straight, right
... Word Origin from yashar Definition straight, right NASB Word Usage conscientious*
(1), fittest (1), Jashar (2), just (1), proposal of peace (1), right (35 ...
/hebrew/3477.htm - 6k
8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... complete, safe, at peace NASB Word Usage blameless (1), complete (1), completed
(1), completely (1), entire (2), friendly (1), full (4), just (1), perfect (2 ...
/hebrew/8003.htm - 6k
3602. kakah -- thus
... Word Origin from koh Definition thus NASB Word Usage even so (1), just so (3), like
this (1), so (5), this (1), this manner (2), this regard (1), thus (21). ...
/hebrew/3602.htm - 6k
834. asher -- who, which, that
... 73), before* (3), concerning* (1), deadly* (1), everything* (2), everywhere* (2),
how (24), how* (6), if (8), inasmuch (1), inasmuch* (2), just (1), just* (6 ...
/hebrew/834.htm - 7k
4941. mishpat -- judgment
... decision (2), decisions (1), deserving (1), destruction (1), due (1), injustice*
(2), judge (1), judged (1), judgment (62), judgments (40), just (4), justice ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k
Library
Just as I Am.
... JUST AS I AM. Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee; O Lamb of God, I come, I come! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/just as i am.htm
Whether the Just is Absolutely the Same as Retaliation?
... OF THE PARTS OF JUSTICE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the just is absolutely the same
as retaliation? ... For the judgment of God is absolutely just. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the just is absolutely.htm
The Path of the Just
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXV THE PATH OF THE JUST. When I look
back upon my former race, Seasons I see, at which the Inward Ray. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxv the path of the.htm
How it is That, Just as a Great Reward is Due to the Monk who ...
... How it is that, just as a great reward is due to the monk who labours according
to the regulations of the fathers, so likewise punishment must he inflicted on ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxiii how it is.htm
Of the Duties of the Just Man, and the Equity of Christians.
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. XVI."Of the Duties of the
Just Man, and the Equity of Christians. Therefore, since ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi of the duties of.htm
Whether it is Just that the Punishments of Sins Last Longer than ...
... Book XXI. Chapter 11."Whether It is Just that the Punishments of Sins Last
Longer Than the Sins Themselves Lasted. Some, however ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 whether it is just.htm
Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
... 18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word? 18.
Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /18 whence also the just.htm
Just as I Am, Without one Plea
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Ash Wednesday and Lent 139. Just as I am, without one plea.
8.8.8.6 ... Refrain. Charlotte Elliott, 1840. Just as I am, without one plea,. ...
/.../ash wednesday and lent 139.htm
God Both Good and Just.
... Homily XVIII. Chapter III."God Both Good and Just. And Simon said: "I
said once for all, Every lawgiver, looking to justice, is ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iii god both good and.htm
And Just as through a Disobedient virgin Man was Stricken Down and ...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 33 And just as through a
disobedient virgin man was stricken down and fell into death? ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 33 and just as.htm
Thesaurus
Just (1529 Occurrences)... of truth and propriety; conformed to the truth of things, to reason, or to a proper
standard; exact; normal; reasonable; regular; due; as, a
just statement; a
.../j/just.htm - 7kAll-just (1 Occurrence)
All-just. All-important, All-just. Allocate . Multi-Version
Concordance All-just (1 Occurrence). Job 34:17 Should he ...
/a/all-just.htm - 6k
Balances (15 Occurrences)
... in his hand. (KJV WBS). Leviticus 19:36 You shall have just balances, just
weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Yahweh your ...
/b/balances.htm - 10k
Right (4703 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Conformed to the constitution of man and the will of God, or to justice
and equity; not deviating from the true and just; according with truth and duty ...
/r/right.htm - 14k
Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... 17; Zechariah 5:6). The double ephah in Proverbs 20:10 (marg., "an ephah and an
ephah"), Deuteronomy 25:14, means two ephahs, the one false and the other just. ...
/e/ephah.htm - 27k
Rightful (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Having the right or just claim; as, the rightful owner; being or holding
by right; as, the rightful heir to a throne or an estate; a rightful king. ...
/r/rightful.htm - 8k
Balance (12 Occurrences)
... It is found in the sing., eg "a just balance" (Proverbs 16:11); "a pair of balances"
(Revelation 6:5, etc.), as well as in the plur., eg "just balances ...
/b/balance.htm - 18k
Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY WBS YLT). Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense
thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. ...
/r/recompense.htm - 30k
Descendants (326 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:21 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak,
and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had ...
/d/descendants.htm - 35k
Bidden (25 Occurrences)
... As I am bidden, so I judge; and mine is a just judgement, because it is not my
own will that guides me, but the will of Him who sent me. (WEY). ...
/b/bidden.htm - 14k
Resources
What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is just? | GotQuestions.orgIs the war in Iraq a just war? | GotQuestions.orgJust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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