Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Gentiles Attained To

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The concept of imputed righteousness is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, particularly in the context of salvation and justification. It refers to the righteousness of Christ being credited to believers, allowing them to stand justified before God. This doctrine is especially significant in understanding how Gentiles, who were historically outside the covenant community of Israel, attained righteousness through faith.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses the imputation of righteousness to the Gentiles extensively in his epistles, particularly in the book of Romans. In Romans 9:30-31 , Paul writes, "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it." This passage highlights the surprising reality that Gentiles, who were not originally seeking righteousness through the Law, attained it through faith in Christ.

Faith and Justification

The imputation of righteousness is closely linked to the doctrine of justification by faith. Paul elaborates on this in Romans 3:22-24 : "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul emphasizes that righteousness is a gift from God, accessible to all who believe, regardless of ethnic or cultural background.

The Role of Grace

The attainment of righteousness by the Gentiles underscores the role of divine grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage reinforces the idea that righteousness is not earned by human effort or adherence to the Law but is a gracious gift from God, received through faith.

Inclusion of the Gentiles

The inclusion of the Gentiles in the covenant promises of God was a mystery revealed in the New Testament. Ephesians 3:6 declares, "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus." The imputation of righteousness to the Gentiles signifies their full inclusion in the body of Christ, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

Abraham as a Model

Paul uses Abraham as a model of imputed righteousness, demonstrating that this principle was present even in the Old Testament. In Romans 4:9-11 , Paul explains, "Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before." Abraham's faith, credited as righteousness before the Law was given, serves as a prototype for the Gentiles' experience of righteousness through faith.

Conclusion

The doctrine of imputed righteousness reveals the profound truth that God's plan of salvation extends beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. Through faith in Jesus Christ, Gentiles have attained the righteousness that comes from God, fulfilling the promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's seed. This imputed righteousness is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the inclusivity of God's redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... Multitudes vainly imagine that this can be attained by our partial obedience, aided,
where we fail, by the imputation ... JUSTIFICATION BY AN IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

His Gospel
... This was to be attained through righteousness; only the ... How, then, could it profit
the Gentiles to be ... the man unto whom God imputed righteousness without works ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

Justification.
... That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to
righteousness ... as teaching the doctrine of an imputed righteousness; and such ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm

Matt. Iii. 1, 2
... there doth not appear remission anywhere; for everywhere this is imputed to His ... That
the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily x matt iii 1.htm

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... nature here spoken of, by which the Gentiles are said ... a death to the life of
righteousness and holiness ... and unscriptural barbarism this notion of imputed sin ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... the others, it is that righteousness imputed through grace ... confess to thee among
the Gentiles," "Every tongue ... heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Concerning Justification.
... he, wherein Christ is ascribed and imputed to believers ... not understanding the nature
of the righteousness of the ... That whereas many of the Gentiles, that were ...
/.../proposition vii concerning justification.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them ... I the Lord have
called thee in righteousness, and will ... for a light of the Gentiles." That in ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ...
... or mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, as to ... Nevertheless, this seed is not imputed
to infants ... spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and ...
/.../the confession of the society.htm

Epistle of Paul to the Philippians.
... God, the faith planted by him among the Gentiles and the ... in the words of this epistle,
"The righteousness which is ... that no guilt of any kind could be imputed. ...
/.../epistle of paul to the.htm