The concept of Righteous in Christianity

According to Christianity, the term "Righteous" describes individuals who are morally upright, faithful, and adhere to God’s laws. These individuals, exemplified by figures such as Abel, are promised happiness and eternal life in the afterlife. They are distinguished from the wicked and are believed to shine like the sun in the kingdom of God. The righteous are portrayed as examples of virtue, often providing blessings to others, and are seen as those who will inherit paradise, joy, and divine favor.

Synonyms: Just, Virtuous, Honorable, Moral, Ethical, Blameless, Upright, Noble, Good, Pious, Fair

In Dutch: Rechtvaardig; In Finnish: Vanhurskas; In Spanish: Justo; In German: Gerecht; In Malay: Soleh; In Swedish: Rättfärdig; In French: Vertueux

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Righteous'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

(1) For it was written, “The righteous one did they sell for silver,” which is very important to note and remember.[1] (2) Those whose paths shine like light, their light advancing until the day is complete, as the light of them advances until the day is perfect.[2] (3) This refers to someone who is disagreeable to us, and is contrary to our works, and reproacheth us with our transgressions of the law.[3] (4) Baptism is necessary for these people so that perfection may be accomplished.[4] (5) The text references the righteous, and it mentions the feasting of that creation in the kingdom of the righteous, which God promises that He will Himself serve.[5]

(1) These are individuals who will scarcely be saved, which emphasizes the challenges faced by those following God.[6] (2) This term is used to contrast with the poor, and it refers to those who are often believed to be blessed with riches, according to a common view.[7]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

(1) This refers to those who will shine forth like the sun, in the Kingdom of their Father, with a brilliancy that will fill heaven with new splendours, bright beyond all that we see here.[8] (2) This refers to those who live in accordance with God's will, and the text suggests that these people will experience security and exemption from the world's evils because of their devotion.[9] (3) This is a reference to those who are blessed by God, and who will be protected by His favor, as it is written in the text.[10] (4) This refers to those who will appear with Christ in glory and will shine forth like the sun in the heavenly Father's kingdom, according to the text.[11] (5) The ones who shall enter the gate of the Lord, a concept related to the authority of Christ over the dead.[12]

(1) They are portrayed as shining forth like the sun, signifying their brilliance, as described in the text.[13] (2) This refers to individuals who are considered to be morally upright and are associated with a specific book containing their names, which indicates their favorable status.[14] (3) This group is rewarded on the day of Jahweh, which is the same as in Amos and his successors, and is an important aspect of the message.[15] (4) This term is used to describe a group of people who are represented as righteous, and it is a significant aspect of the overall understanding of the concept.[16] (5) This term refers to individuals who are considered morally upright or just, and are often associated with goodness and proper behavior.[17]

(1) This term refers to the godly people who were oppressed by the enemies of religion, and their reward is exhibited by the writer, according to the provided text.[18] (2) These are the individuals who will experience happiness in the future state, as the term 'Paradise' has been transferred to denote their happiness.[19] (3) The righteous are those who are rewarded according to a righteous law, but we would not dissemble that we are here met with important objections, although infinitely less, even though they were unanswerable, than beset such as would reject the doctrine of Providence.[20] (4) These are the people who are associated with happiness, and their fate is contrasted with the suffering of the wicked, and it is a key element in the discussion of future consequences.[21] (5) The righteous, during the interval, or the inferior paradise, were supposed to be in the upper part of this receptacle, according to the text.[22]

(1) The text mentions this group, and their death is something Balaam anticipates, implying a distinction between different groups of people.[23] (2) This individual is compared to a tree planted by the rivers of water, which provides fruit in its season, highlighting their consistent and fruitful nature.[24] (3) This refers to those who flourish like the palm tree, representing their enduring nature and connection to grace, as referenced in Psalms 92:12.[25] (4) This refers to the individuals who have hope in their death, contrasting with the wicked who are driven away in their wickedness.[26] (5) The text indicates that Christ referred to Abel as righteous, acknowledging the significance of his actions and the righteousness he attained through faith.[27]

(1) These are the individuals whose tombs are built and whose sepulchres are garnished, according to the provided text.[28] (2) This refers to those who will inherit eternal life, who are recognized for their acts of kindness and compassion towards others, especially the less fortunate.[29] (3) These are the people who will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, representing those who are good and will be rewarded.[30]

(1) The word signifies a person who is morally upright, especially when describing their soul's departure, as detailed in the first verse.[31] (2) Those who lead a morally correct life and act in accordance with God's will, serving as role models for the straying.[32]

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

(1) This describes the people who will not be sought after during the time when the Christians are tried.[33] (2) These are the individuals who will experience happiness in the afterlife, as described in the text, contrasted with the sinners.[34] (3) The heavens were intended to serve as a residence for the virtuous and the celestial beings following the process of revival.[35] (4) Our Lord will ascend to heaven, and the angels will go before Him like ambassadors, and the just and the righteous will be upon His right hand and His left, and the children behind Him in the form of the life-giving Cross.[36] (5) The resurrection of the righteous and the just and the believers will precede that of other men, according to some traditions, as mentioned in the text.[37]

(1) The righteous are mentioned in connection to tabernacles and their names, which are considered holy, as stated in the text.[38] (2) This refers to those who were to be established with Adam, the children of God, for His praises, according to the provided text.[39] (3) This refers to a group of people who will not be harmed, and is used to highlight a positive outcome.[40] (4) This refers to the men who shall carry the Pearl, and the women who have carried the Pearl shall not be destroyed.[41]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

(1) In the provided text, it refers to a person's actions and conduct being morally correct and just, which contrasted with the actions of Cain.[42] (2) The text mentions that the perturbations of the soul appear as right affections in the life of the righteous, implying that the righteous experience emotions in a way that aligns with their virtuous character.[43] (3) The text refers to 'the righteous' as those whose glory is in God, and who should strive to resist the desire for human praise.[44] (4) The righteous are those who make a good use of both good and evil things, including death, and they can turn the punishment of sin into an instrument of virtue.[45] (5) These are the ones who will be rewarded in the last judgment, enjoying unsullied and eternal felicity, and separated from the wicked as the sheep from the goats.[46]

(1) Those who will shine forth, live forever, and their salvation comes from the Lord, and they are promised eternal life.[47]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

(1) This term refers to the acting of Christ, by which people are made such, as presented in the provided text.[48] (2) This term describes individuals who live in accordance with moral principles and do what is considered right, often highlighting their suffering or hardships as a test of their faith.[49] (3) The righteous are those who will purify themselves and reform their ways, looking to their paths, when God's sword is drenched in the blood of the wicked, taking it as a lesson.[50]

(1) Jesus Christ, who serves as an advocate for those who sin, as mentioned in the text, in the presence of the Father.[51] (2) Righteous individuals are made so by faith in Christ, purely by the grace of God, who does not impute our sins, but the righteousness of Christ.[52]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Gnostic concept of 'Righteous'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

(1) These are the ones against whom iniquity is alleged, as the text details.[53] (2) This is a reference to the people who have not committed sins, and the Virgin of Light judges them.[54] (3) These are individuals who have not committed any evil or sinned, and they still need to find the mysteries in the Books of Yew, highlighting the importance of these texts.[55] (4) These are individuals from Adam to Jesus who are in the aeons, who will find the mysteries of the Light, enter in and inherit the Light-kingdom.[56] (5) These are the ones who will see and be afraid, and they will mock at him, according to the provided text.[57]

(1) A reference to certain communities acknowledged in the Sibylline Oracles, potentially related to the belief systems of the Ebionites.[58]