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Righteousness vs Righteous - What's the difference?

righteousness | righteous |

Righteous is a derived term of righteousness.



As a noun righteousness

is the quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it chiefly occurs, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law.

As an adjective righteous is

free from sin or guilt.

As a verb righteous is

to make righteous; specifically, to justify religiously, to absolve from sin.

righteousness

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it chiefly occurs, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
    • , chapter=4, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness , was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.}}
  • (countable) A righteous act, or righteous quality.
  • * (w) lxiv. 6.
    • All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
  • The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
  • * (Psalms) cvi. 3.
    • Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth rightness at all times.
  • (theology) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.
  • * 1594-7 , (Richard Hooker), '', A Discourse, Section 21
    • There are two kinds of Christian righteousness : the one without us, which we have by imputation; the other in us, which consisteth of faith, hope, and charity, and other Christian virtues.
  • * 1646-7 , (Westminster Shorter Catechism) , Q.33
    • Only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

    Synonyms

    * rectitude, uprightness, holiness, godliness, equity, justice, rightfulness, integrity, honesty, faithfulness

    righteous

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • free from sin or guilt
  • moral and virtuous, suggesting sanctimonious
  • justified morally
  • (slang, US) awesome

    • Derived terms

    * righteousness * self-righteous

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make righteous; specifically, to justify religiously, to absolve from sin.
  • * 2009 , (Diarmaid MacCulloch), A History of Christianity , Penguin 2010, p. 101:
    • Thus for the purposes of being ‘righteoused ’, the Law was irrelevant; yet Paul could not bear to see all the Law disappear.