Justification

From the Greek dikaiōsis, rooted in dikaios — the Greek rendering of the Hebrew tsaddiq: right, just, in right relationship. Two senses run together: the courtroom verdict — declared righteous, acquitted, set against “condemned” (Romans 8:33-34) — and the older, wider Hebrew tsedeq: a setting-right of what was out of order, God’s own righteousness as saving action (Isaiah 46:13). The word carries both; leaning on either alone narrows it.

Synonyms: justify, justified, dikaiōsis, dikaios, righteousness, tsaddiq.