UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: righteousness, doing what God requires, doing what is right

Semantic entry: 88.13

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Just, Righteous

Definition: the act of doing what God requires

Sense 2: putting right with, causing to be in a right relationship with

Semantic entry: 34.46

Semantic domains: Association

Subdomains: Establish or Confirm a Relation

Definition: causing someone to be in a proper or right relation with someone else

Notes: Some scholars, however, interpret δικαιόω, δικαίωσις, and δικαιοσύνη in the following contexts as meaning forensic righteousness, that is to say, the act of being declared righteous on the basis of Christ’s atoning ministry; but it would seem more probable that Paul uses these expressions in the context of the covenant relation rather than in the context of legal procedures.|It may be difficult in some languages to find a succinct expression equivalent to ‘to be put right with.’ Sometimes the closest equivalent may be ‘to be related to as one should be.’ In some instances the implication of a right relationship may be expressed by phrases involving ‘acceptance.’ For example, RV ROM 3:24 · LV ROM 3:24 · Read together ROM 3:24 may be expressed as ‘by the free gift of God’s grace they are accepted by him through Christ Jesus who sets them free.’ Similarly, RV ROM 4:25 · LV ROM 4:25 · Read together ROM 4:25 is sometimes expressed as ‘he was raised to life in order to cause us to be accepted by God.’ There are, however, certain dangers involved in terms indicating ‘acceptance,’ since this might imply God’s reluctance to accept people apart from the atoning work of Jesus Christ, while in reality it was God who was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Therefore, one should clearly avoid a rendering which would seem to suggest different types of motivation in the Godhead.|Some scholars, however, understand the phrase δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ in RV ROM 1:17 · LV ROM 1:17 · Read together ROM 1:17 as referring to God’s faithfulness to his promises made to Abraham. In other words, the focus would be upon God’s moral integrity, but it is difficult to relate this interpretation to the statement about faith in RV ROM 1:17 · LV ROM 1:17 · Read together ROM 1:17b.

Sense 3: religious observances, religious requirements

Semantic entry: 53.4

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Religious Practice

Definition: observances or practices required by one’s religion

Notes: It is also possible to understand δικαιοσύνη in RV MAT 6:1 · LV MAT 6:1 · Read together MAT 6:1 as meaning ‘alms’ (see 57.111: δικαιοσύνη / 57.111: ἐλεημοσύνη).

Sense 4: acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy

Semantic entry: 57.111

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Give

Definition: giving to those in need as an act of mercy

Notes: It is also possible to interpret δικαιοσύνη in RV MAT 6:1 · LV MAT 6:1 · Read together MAT 6:1 as ‘religious observances’ (see 53.4: δικαιοσύνη).