The Breastplate of Righteousness

Nine Lessons

Work through them in order. Each one opens with the verse itself, before any commentary.

• 01 Deuteronomy 6:25 What Is Righteousness?

  “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  In its most basic biblical sense, righteousness is being rightly aligned to God's own standard, not a feeling, but a measurable rightness before Him.

  Word Note

  Hebrew tsedaqah ("righteousness"), conformity to a standard; used of scales that weigh true (see Leviticus 19:36, "just balances... just weights").

  See Also

  • Leviticus 19:36
  • Psalm 119:172

  Check Your Understanding

  1. According to Deuteronomy 6:25, what would be Israel's righteousness?

  AObserving to do all His commandments BOffering sacrifices only CBuilding the temple DDefeating their enemies

  2. What image does Leviticus 19:36 use for "just" or "righteous"?

  AJust balances and weights BA straight road CA refined metal DA planted seed

  3. Psalm 119:172 says all of God's commandments are what?

  ARighteousness BMysterious CBurdensome DTemporary

  Study

  4. If righteousness means being rightly weighed against God's standard, what happens when we measure ourselves against other people instead?

  Apply

  5. Where in your life do you tend to use the wrong "scale" to judge whether you're doing right?

• 02 Psalm 119:137 God's Own Righteousness

  “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Righteousness isn't an abstract rule floating above God. It originates in His own character. He is the standard, not merely a rule-keeper.

  Word Note

  Hebrew yashar ("upright"), straight, level; paired with tsaddiq ("righteous") to describe both God's nature and His decisions as consistent with each other.

  See Also

  • Deuteronomy 32:4
  • Psalm 145:17

  Check Your Understanding

  1. Psalm 119:137 calls the LORD what, alongside describing His judgments as "upright"?

  ARighteous BMerciful CPatient DSilent

  2. Deuteronomy 32:4 says God is a God of what, "without iniquity"?

  ATruth BWar CWrath DSilence

  3. Psalm 145:17 says the LORD is righteous in all His what?

  AWays BWords CThoughts DJudgments

  Study

  4. Why does it matter that righteousness flows from God's character rather than from an external rulebook?

  Apply

  5. Does thinking of righteousness as rooted in who God is change how you view His commands, as arbitrary rules, or as a reflection of Him?

• 03 Romans 3:10 None Righteous on Our Own

  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Before anything else can be said about righteousness, Scripture is blunt: by nature, no one qualifies.

  Word Note

  Greek dikaios ("righteous"), in right standing or right conduct according to a standard; Romans 3:10 quotes this negation directly from the Psalms (Ps. 14:1–3; 53:1–3).

  See Also

  • Romans 3:23
  • Isaiah 64:6

  Check Your Understanding

  1. According to Romans 3:10, how many people are righteous by nature?

  ANone, not one BA few CHalf DMost

  2. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and come short of what?

  AThe glory of God BThe law of Moses CThe kingdom of heaven DEternal life

  3. Isaiah 64:6 compares our righteousnesses to what?

  AFilthy rags BFine linen CPure gold DA refined gem

  Study

  4. Why might it be important to settle this point before talking about how to "become" righteous?

  Apply

  5. Is there a temptation to think you're "good enough" compared to others? How does Romans 3:10 answer that comparison?

• 04 Genesis 15:6 Righteousness Credited Through Faith

  “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Righteousness before God was never earned by Abraham's performance. It was credited to him because he believed God.

  Word Note

  Hebrew chashab ("counted/reckoned"), an accounting term, to credit something to someone's account.

  See Also

  • Romans 4:3, 20–22

  Check Your Understanding

  1. In Genesis 15:6, what did Abraham do that was "counted... for righteousness"?

  AHe believed the LORD BHe built an altar CHe offered a sacrifice DHe obeyed a command

  2. What accounting-like word does the Hebrew use for "counted"?

  AChashab, meaning reckoned or credited BChesed, meaning mercy CEmunah, meaning faithfulness DShalom, meaning peace

  3. According to Romans 4:3, what was counted to Abraham for righteousness?

  AThat he believed God BThat he kept the law CThat he offered sacrifices DThat he built an altar

  Study

  4. Does this change how you'd answer someone who thinks righteousness is earned by good deeds?

  Apply

  5. Where might you be quietly trying to "earn" a standing with God that Scripture says is credited by faith instead?

• 05 2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ Made Our Righteousness

  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  The righteousness a believer has isn't self-generated. It's Christ's own righteousness, given in exchange for having our sin placed on Him.

  Word Note

  Greek ginomai ("made/become"), a becoming, a change of state; the verse describes an exchange, not a self-improvement.

  See Also

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30
  • Philippians 3:9

  Check Your Understanding

  1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, what was done to Him "who knew no sin"?

  AHe was made to be sin for us BHe was made a king CHe was made a prophet DHe was made an example

  2. What is the stated purpose, that we might become what?

  AThe righteousness of God in Him BProphets of God CServants of the law DPriests of the temple

  3. Philippians 3:9 contrasts "mine own righteousness" with a righteousness that comes from where?

  AThrough faith in Christ, from God BThrough keeping the law perfectly CThrough the priesthood DThrough good works alone

  Study

  4. How does this differ from thinking of righteousness as something you build up through good behavior?

  Apply

  5. Does your sense of standing before God right now rest more on your own performance, or on what this verse says was exchanged at the cross?

• 06 Isaiah 59:17 Righteousness as Armor: Guarding the Heart

  “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head...” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Before Paul ever wrote Ephesians 6, Isaiah pictured the LORD Himself putting on righteousness as armor. The image of righteousness as a breastplate is God's own image first.

  Word Note

  Hebrew shiryon ("breastplate/coat of mail"), armor covering the chest, protecting the vital organs, especially the heart.

  See Also

  • Ephesians 6:14

  Check Your Understanding

  1. In Isaiah 59:17, what two pieces of armor does the LORD put on?

  ABreastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation BShield of faith and sword of the Spirit CBelt of truth and shoes of peace DHelmet of salvation and belt of truth

  2. What part of the body does a breastplate specifically protect?

  AThe chest, protecting the vital organs and heart BThe head CThe feet DThe hands

  3. Ephesians 6:14 tells believers to have on what, worn like a breastplate?

  ARighteousness BTruth CPeace DFaith

  Study

  4. Why might righteousness, specifically, be the piece guarding the heart rather than, say, the hands or feet?

  Apply

  5. What kinds of accusations or attacks tend to target your heart, guilt, condemnation, shame? How might a settled righteousness (Christ's, not your own performance) guard against those?

• 07 Matthew 6:33 Pursuing Righteousness

  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Having righteousness credited to us doesn't remove the call to actively seek it, to prioritize what is right above competing pursuits.

  Word Note

  Greek zeteo ("seek"), present imperative, denoting a continual, ongoing seeking, not a one-time search.

  See Also

  • 1 Timothy 6:11
  • Proverbs 21:21

  Check Your Understanding

  1. According to Matthew 6:33, what are we told to seek "first"?

  AThe kingdom of God and His righteousness BWealth and provision CWisdom and understanding DPeace and safety

  2. What is promised as a result of seeking first?

  AAll these things shall be added to you BEternal rest immediately CFreedom from all trials DImmediate wealth

  3. 1 Timothy 6:11 tells Timothy to flee certain things and follow after what, among other qualities?

  ARighteousness BWealth CPopularity DComfort

  Study

  4. What does it mean that the Greek verb for "seek" implies continual action, not a single moment?

  Apply

  5. What currently competes with righteousness for the "first" place in your priorities?

• 08 Proverbs 11:18 The Fruit of Righteousness

  “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Righteousness isn't only a legal standing. It produces visible fruit over time, in contrast to the shifting, unreliable "work" of wickedness.

  Word Note

  Hebrew zara ("soweth"), an agricultural term; righteousness is pictured as seed planted, implying growth over time rather than instant results.

  See Also

  • James 3:18
  • Hebrews 12:11

  Check Your Understanding

  1. Proverbs 11:18 contrasts the wicked's "deceitful work" with what kind of reward for the one who sows righteousness?

  AA sure reward BAn uncertain reward CNo reward DA delayed punishment

  2. What agricultural image does the Hebrew word for "soweth" carry?

  ASowing seed BHarvesting grain CPruning a vine DWatering a field

  3. James 3:18 says the fruit of righteousness is sown by whom, and in what?

  ASown in peace, by those who make peace BSown in strife, by those who argue CSown in silence, by those who withdraw DSown in haste, by those who rush

  Study

  4. Why might righteousness be described as something "sown" rather than something instantly harvested?

  Apply

  5. What's one place you've had to wait for the "fruit" of doing right to show up, rather than seeing immediate results?

• 09 1 John 3:7 Walking in Righteousness Daily

  “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (KJV)

  Righteousness Principle

  Righteousness is meant to be lived out, not just believed in. Genuine righteousness shows itself in what a person actually does, patterned after Christ Himself.

  Word Note

  Greek poieo ("doeth"), to do or practice, in the present tense, indicating habitual action rather than a single righteous act.

  See Also

  • 1 John 2:29
  • Ephesians 4:24

  Check Your Understanding

  1. According to 1 John 3:7, who is warning against being deceived?

  ALittle children (John's readers) BThe Pharisees CThe Roman soldiers DThe elders of the church

  2. What does the verse say marks someone as actually righteous?

  ADoing righteousness BSaying the right words CAttending the temple DFeeling sincere

  3. Ephesians 4:24 says the "new man" is created after God in righteousness and what else?

  ATrue holiness BGreat wisdom CPerfect wealth DComplete peace

  Study

  4. What's the danger the verse is guarding against, believing something about yourself that your actions don't match?

  Apply

  5. What's one habitual action (not a one-time act) that would reflect a settled righteousness in your daily life this week?