dikaiosynē

What it means

Doing what is right before God and toward others. In Matthew it's mostly about how people actually live (5:20, 6:1), with a sense of being in the right with God. Paul later uses the same word for the right standing God gives.

Range of meaning

• Right conductLiving in line with God's will.
• JusticeFairness and rightness in dealings with others.
• Right standingBeing declared in the right before God (especially in Paul).

In Matthew

• Chapter 3

  Jesus is baptized "to fulfill all righteousness" (3:15).

• Chapter 5

  Hunger for righteousness, persecution for it, and a righteousness beyond the scribes' (5:6, 5:10, 5:20).

• Chapter 6

  Practicing righteousness to be seen, and seeking God's righteousness (6:1, 6:33).