δικαίως

Pronunciation Guide: dee-kah’-yoce (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1346: The adverb δικαίως (dikaiōs) fundamentally means “justly, righteously, or in accordance with what is right.” It describes actions or judgments that align perfectly with divine standards of justice and righteousness. As an adverb, it qualifies how an action is performed—with complete fairness, without partiality, and in perfect alignment with God’s righteous character.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Root Word: δίκαιος (dikaios, G1342) – righteous, just
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages, ethical teachings, and legal contexts
• Derived from: δίκη (dikē, G1349) – justice, judicial verdict, punishment

δικαίως Morphology:

• δικαίως – adverbial form meaning “justly, righteously”
• The word is an adverb formed from the adjective δίκαιος with the adverbial ending -ως (-ōs)
• Unlike nouns or verbs, adverbs in Greek do not change form based on case or number

Origin & History

The word δικαίως has deep roots in ancient Greek thought and culture, where justice (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē) was considered one of the cardinal virtues. In classical Greek literature, Plato frequently used this term in “The Republic” when discussing ideal justice and its application in society. Aristotle also employed it extensively in his “Nicomachean Ethics” when examining what it means to act justly in various circumstances.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δικαίως appears as a translation of Hebrew terms related to righteousness and justice, particularly in wisdom literature like Proverbs where righteous conduct is frequently praised. For example, in Proverbs 31:9 (LXX), kings are instructed to “judge δικαίως” (righteously) and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. This established a theological foundation for understanding righteous judgment as a reflection of divine character that the New Testament would later build upon.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Acting in complete accordance with divine standards of justice
• Conducting oneself in perfect fairness and impartiality
• Rendering judgment that aligns with ultimate truth and righteousness
• Operating according to God’s perfect moral law
• Making decisions based on true merit rather than favoritism

δικαίως Translation Options:

• Righteously – Emphasizes alignment with God’s character and moral standards
• Justly – Highlights the legal and judicial aspects of fair treatment
• Fairly – Underscores the impartiality and equity in treatment
• Rightly – Focuses on the correctness of the action according to objective standards
• With justice – Emphasizes the principled application of righteous standards

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δικαίως appears only five times, yet each instance carries significant theological weight. Its first appearance is in Luke 23:41, where the penitent thief crucified alongside Jesus acknowledges that while Jesus is innocent, he and the other criminal are “justly” (δικαίως) condemned, recognizing the rightness of their punishment. This demonstrates an understanding that true justice assigns appropriate consequences to actions.

In Paul’s writings, the adverb takes on additional dimensions, particularly in relation to Christian conduct. In 1 Thessalonians 2:10, Paul describes his ministry among the Thessalonians as conducted “devoutly and righteously (δικαίως) and blamelessly,” establishing righteous behavior as essential to authentic spiritual leadership. Similarly, in Titus 2:12, believers are instructed to live “sensibly, righteously (δικαίως), and godly in the present age.”

Biblical usages of δικαίως include:

• “And we indeed justly [δικαίως], for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:41
• “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly [δικαίως] and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10
• “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously [δικαίως], and godly in the present age.” Titus 2:12
• “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him… he who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” 1 John 2:29-3:7 (The concept is verbal in this passage, but the adverbial principle is present)
• “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work [a concept related to δικαίως], conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

Cultural Insights

In ancient Near Eastern judicial contexts, the concept of judging “justly” (δικαίως) stood in stark contrast to common practices of the day. While Roman courts often favored the elite and wealthy, and local tribunals could be notorious for bribery and corruption, the Mosaic law repeatedly emphasized impartial justice regardless of social status. The Torah specifically commanded judges: “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you shall judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15).

This cultural understanding illuminates why the penitent thief’s statement in Luke 23:41 is so profound. In acknowledging that he was condemned δικαίως, he wasn’t merely admitting guilt but recognizing a higher standard of justice that transcended the often corrupt Roman judicial system. The Roman crucifixion itself was often applied unjustly to subjugate conquered peoples, yet here, in a moment of spiritual clarity, the criminal acknowledges that his sentence aligns with true justice—a divine δικαίως that is incorruptible and perfect.

Theological Significance

The concept of δικαίως (acting justly/righteously) is foundational to understanding God’s character and His dealings with humanity. Throughout Scripture, יהוה (Yahweh) is repeatedly described as the One who judges the world in righteousness (Psalm 9:8). This divine attribute means God’s judgments are never arbitrary, biased, or mistaken—they perfectly align with ultimate reality and moral truth.

For believers, the call to live δικαίως represents more than ethical behavior; it reflects our transformation into the image of the Messiah Jesus. When Paul instructs Titus that grace teaches us to live “righteously” (Titus 2:12), he’s indicating that righteous living is not merely adherence to external rules but the natural outgrowth of God’s transformative work in our hearts. This creates a profound theological link between justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (living righteously)—the legal standing we receive through faith necessarily produces a life characterized by δικαίως conduct.

Perhaps most significantly, δικαίως points to the perfect resolution of divine justice and mercy at the cross. In Romans 3:26, Paul declares that God demonstrated His righteousness by both justifying sinners and being just—He acts δικαίως while justifying the one who has faith in Jesus. This remarkable synthesis shows that God never compromises justice to show mercy; rather, in the Messiah’s atoning sacrifice, both justice and mercy are perfectly fulfilled.

Personal Application

Embracing the concept of δικαίως challenges us to evaluate our actions and attitudes against God’s perfect standard rather than cultural norms or personal preferences. In a world where relativism often prevails, the biblical call to righteous living establishes an unchanging foundation for ethical decision-making. When we face difficult choices, we can ask: “What would it mean to act δικαίως in this situation?”—seeking to align our choices with God’s righteous character.

On a practical level, living δικαίως means treating others with fairness and impartiality, especially those who differ from us politically, ethnically, socially, or religiously. It means resisting the temptation to show favoritism to those who can benefit us or to ignore the needs of those who cannot. As followers of the Messiah Jesus, our commitment to righteousness should be evident in every interaction—at home, in the workplace, and in our communities—demonstrating to the world what living according to God’s standards truly looks like.

Related Words

• δίκαιος (dikaios) [DEE-kah-yos] – righteous, just, right (as an adjective rather than adverb); describes a person or action that conforms to divine standards of right and wrong. While δικαίως qualifies how an action is performed, δίκαιος describes the character or nature of a person or thing. See G1342
• δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) [dee-kah-yo-SOO-nay] – righteousness, justice; the abstract noun form referring to the quality or state of being righteous. This term is often used to describe God’s character and the standard to which believers are called. While δικαίως describes righteous action, δικαιοσύνη refers to righteousness as a concept or attribute. See G1343
• δικαιόω (dikaioō) [dee-kah-YO-oh] – to declare righteous, justify, vindicate; the verbal form that describes the act of making or declaring someone righteous. This term is central to Paul’s doctrine of justification. While δικαίως describes righteous conduct, δικαιόω refers to God’s judicial declaration of righteousness. See G1344
• δικαίωμα (dikaiōma) [dee-kah-YO-mah] – righteous decree, ordinance, act of righteousness; describes a concrete expression or requirement of righteousness. While δικαίως is how one acts righteously, δικαίωμα can be the righteous standard itself. See G1345
• δίκη (dikē) [DEE-kay] – justice, punishment, vengeance; the root word focusing on the execution of justice or penalty. This term emphasizes the consequences aspect of justice, while δικαίως focuses on the manner of executing justice. See G1349

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek courts, a special officer called a “dikastes” was appointed to ensure proceedings were conducted δικαίως (justly)? This role was considered sacred, as the Greeks believed that justice ultimately derived from Zeus himself. This cultural understanding enriches our appreciation of how the early Christians would have understood the concept of divine justice—as something that transcended human institutions and reflected the very character of God.
• Did you know that the modern Greek legal system still uses terminology derived from δικαίως? The Supreme Court of Greece is called the “Areios Pagos,” named after the ancient Athenian court where the apostle Paul delivered his famous speech in Acts 17. Legal proceedings in Greece today are still described as needing to be conducted “δικαίως” (justly), showing the enduring legacy of this concept in Western jurisprudence.
• Did you know that in rabbinic Judaism contemporary with the New Testament, the concept parallel to δικαίως was “mishpat tzedek” (righteous judgment)? Jewish sages taught that judges must embody this quality to such an extent that even if a case involved a rich man against a poor man, and the judge knew the poor man needed money, he was still obligated to judge “δικαίως”—according to truth rather than need. This strict understanding of impartial justice helps us understand the radical nature of God’s mercy within the framework of perfect justice.

Remember This

To act δικαίως is to align our judgments and actions with the perfect righteousness of God Himself, treating others with the same impartial justice and mercy that He has shown us through the Messiah Jesus.