Righteous vs Saved

One mistake of faith only groups is they view the term righteous as forgiven or saved. In their view if a person has the righteousness of faith then they are forgiven all trespasses and have passed into a state of full atonement.

The righteousness of faith just means to have a good report. It means a person is witnessed by God to be holy.

In Hebrews the word is translated report.

Heb 11:2  ForG1063 byG 1722 itG5026 theG3588 eldersG4245 obtained a good report.G3140

This word is used again at the end of the section as a conclusion.

Heb 11:39  AndG2532 theseG3778 all,G3956 having obtained a good reportG3140 throughG1223 faith,G4102 receivedG2865 notG3756 theG3588 promise:G1860

It means God became a witness of their Holy attitudes and Holy actions.

It does not mean saved or totally forgiven, since many were saved after receiving this witness that they were righteous.

Abraham was accounted righteous in Gen..15, he was justified in Gen.22.

Noah received righteousness of faith in building the Ark, but was saved later through water.

The righteousness of faith is just witness from God the person has become Holy through believing.

It is through this holiness we are led to salvation.

Hebrews 11 makes this clear as many promises and saving acts occur after they received a good report.

Heb 11:33  WhoG3739 throughG1223 faithG4102 subduedG2610 kingdoms,G932 wroughtG2038 righteousness,G1343 obtainedG2013 promises,G1860 stoppedG5420 the mouthsG4750 of lions,G3023

Often times the promises were still future after having received a good report from God.

A person can be accounted holy or righteous by God, without their past sins being forgiven, and without promises being fulfilled yet.

G1342

δίκαιος

dikaios

dik'-ah-yos

From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): - just, meet, right (-eous).

Total KJV occurrences: 81