Romans 1:16-17 (NET) 16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
Regarding the “righteousness of God” mentioned, one scholar points out that that the phrase a righteousness of God is in the subjective genitive, meaning a God kind of righteousness. (Robertson)
Just what is this God kind of righteousness? I suggest that it is God always acting according the intrinsic value he gives to each person. He never treats anyone in any way less than what reflects that person’s infinite worth to him.
And so with us if we are to be what the Apostle Paul calls “the righteousness of God” in this world. How can this be even remotely possible? — “from faith to faith.”
Perhaps we could say that this God kind of righteousness is born of trusting God, is sustained by trusting God, and comes to it’s fullness of expression in our lives only through trusting God. By that I mean, trusting God to open our eyes and keep them open so that we only see others through his eyes. Because the more we see what God sees in people, the more our thoughts, words, and actions, will reflect their preciousness to him. We will indeed become his righteousness in this world.
