Bible Study Outlines

Volume 2, Lesson 4
by C.I. Scofield

Christ, the Righteousness of God

Righteousness means righteous and whoever is right with God is righteous.

Three kinds of righteousness are mentioned in Scripture:
1. Self-righteousness
  - Luke 18:11 - "Thank Thee, that I am not as other men"
  - Luke 10:29 - "Willing to justify himself"
2. Legal righteousness
  - Philippians 3:6 - "Righteousness which is in the law, blameless"
  - Galatians 2:21 - "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain"
3. God's righteousness
  - Philippians 3:9 - "The righteousness which is of God by faith." The righteousness of God is Christ. Not merely Christ's obedience, but Christ Himself (1Corinthians 1:30). Only Christ makes the sinner right with God.
Only those who are "in Christ," clothed with Him, are "righteous"
1. A garment is the constant symbol in Scripture for Christ, our righteousness.
  - Philippians 3:9 - "In Him... righteousness... of God"
  - Romans 13:14 - "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ"
  - Romans 3:22 - "Upon all them that believe"
2. Righteousness as a garment is set forth in the first type of atonement.
  - Genesis 3:21 - "Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them"
3. The sinner can be righteous only as God clothes him through the sacrifice of another. An innocent life must be taken before the sinner can be clothed.
  - 2Corinthians 5:21 - "Made Him... who knew no sin... that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him"
The means by which we receive Christ as our righteousness
- Romans 3:22 - "Righteousness... by faith"
- Romans 4:5 - "Faith is counted for righteousness"
- Philippians 3:9 - "Righteousness... by faith"
Contrasts between God's righteousness and man's righteousness
1. Man's righteousness
  - Genesis 3:7 - "Made themselves aprons"
  - Isaiah 64:6 - "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"
  - Zechariah 3:1-5 - "Clothed in filthy garments"
  - Luke 18:9,10 - "Trusted in themselves that they were righteous"
  - Philippians 3:4 - "Trust in the flesh"
2. God's righteousness
  - Genesis 3:21 - "Lord God... clothed them"
  - Isaiah 61:10 - "He hath clothed me"
  - Zechariah 3:4,5 - "I will clothe thee"
  - Luke 18:13,14 - "God be merciful to me a sinner"
  - Philippians 3:8,9 - "Righteousness... of God"

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