Brief Overview of δικαιοσύνη (G1343: dikaiosýnē)

Word Details

• Transliteration: δικαιοσύνη (dik-ai-o-SOO-nay)
• Etymology: The word δικαιοσύνη is derived from the Greek word δίκαιος (dikaios), meaning “righteous” or “just.” The root idea is related to justice, righteousness, and the state of being morally right or justified.
• Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine)
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Primary Meanings

• Righteousness: The most common meaning of δικαιοσύνη is “righteousness,” which refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable. In a biblical context, it often relates to the state of being righteous in the eyes of God.
• Justice: The word also carries the connotation of “justice,” especially in terms of fairness and the proper administration of law.
• Justification: δικαιοσύνη can also be understood as “justification,” particularly in theological contexts where it refers to the act of God declaring a person to be righteous on the basis of faith.

Further Insights

• Gender: Feminine
• Number: Singular
• Case: Nominative
• Declension: First Declension

Further Insights Explained:

• δικαιοσύνη is a feminine noun, typically found in the singular form in the New Testament. It is most often used in the nominative case, which generally denotes the subject of a sentence. As a first declension noun, it follows the standard pattern of Greek noun endings. The word is frequently associated with theological concepts, especially in the context of Christian doctrine where it refers to the righteousness imparted to believers by God through faith.

Disclaimer: The morphological features provided here are typical for the word as it appears in Greek texts, but these features may change depending on the word’s role in different grammatical contexts.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• BDAG defines δικαιοσύνη primarily as “righteousness,” emphasizing its role in describing the moral quality of individuals who are in right standing with God. It is also used to refer to the concept of justice in legal and ethical contexts.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:6, where it speaks of those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s Lexicon describes δικαιοσύνη as “the state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness,” and it often refers to the condition acceptable to God. It can also denote a judicial or legal sense of justice and equity.
• Scripture Reference: Romans 1:17, where it is said that “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.”

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines δικαιοσύνη broadly as “righteousness” and “justice.” It notes its use in various Greek writings to describe both individual moral integrity and the broader concept of legal justice.
• Classical References: The term is used in classical Greek literature, particularly in philosophical discussions about justice and moral virtue.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s describes δικαιοσύνη as “righteousness” and connects it with the Christian doctrine of imputed righteousness, where believers are seen as righteous because of their faith in Christ.
• Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:21, where it is stated that believers become “the righteousness of God” in Christ.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines δικαιοσύνη simply as “righteousness” or “justice,” emphasizing its frequent use in the New Testament to describe both the character of God and the ethical conduct expected of believers.
• Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:33, where believers are instructed to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, The Republic: In The Republic, δικαιοσύνη is a central concept used to discuss the nature of justice and the ideal state. Plato uses the term to describe both the just person and the just society, where each part fulfills its proper role in harmony with the others.
• Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle uses δικαιοσύνη to describe the virtue of justice, which he divides into distributive and corrective justice. In his view, δικαιοσύνη is the highest of the moral virtues, as it encompasses the proper relationship between individuals within a society.
• Homer, The Iliad: Although the word δικαιοσύνη is not directly used in The Iliad, the concept of justice and righteousness is prevalent, particularly in the context of divine justice and the moral obligations of the characters.

Summary

δικαιοσύνη (G1343: dikaiosýnē) is a Greek noun that primarily means “righteousness” or “justice.” It is derived from the root word δίκαιος (dikaios), which refers to being “righteous” or “just.” In the New Testament, δικαιοσύνη is often used to describe the righteousness that comes from God and is imparted to believers through faith. The term also carries connotations of justice, both in the legal sense and in terms of moral integrity. In classical Greek literature, δικαιοσύνη is a central concept in discussions of justice, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle. Understanding δικαιοσύνη provides valuable insights into both the ethical demands of the Christian faith and the broader Greek philosophical tradition concerning justice and righteousness.