Biblical Justice

One-page articles describing and analyzing justice as presented in the Bible.

What is Justice?

The term ‘justice’ is used in many facets of life – in response to crime, disagreements between individuals, or treatment in the workplace. ‘Justice’ is also found throughout scripture. In Micah 6:8 God’s people are called to act justly. But, what does it mean to do justice? How does the general understanding of justice in our societies compare to a biblical understanding of justice?

Justice Brings Rescue

The first action of justice is to rescue those who are captive; justice brings release to the oppressed. Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission has written that injustice is the abuse of power. When power is abused, justice seeks to rescue those who are oppressed.

Justice Brings the Day of Reckoning

The second action of justice is to bring accountability or retribution. Justice holds wrongdoers accountable, and in so doing provides vindication of the law and of the victim. The idea here is not of human revenge, but of accountability. The one who has done wrong and has harmed others should be held to account for those actions. If necessary this should come after an official proceeding in which guilt is determined and consequences are laid out. Tied into the idea of retribution is the recognition that safeguards are needed to insure fairness.

Justice Brings Restoration

The third action of justice is to bring restoration. Justice repairs the harm caused by injustice. Reconciliation, which can come only after the material, emotional, and relational harms have been addressed, is a sign that things have been made right.

Justice Brings Righteousness

The fourth action of justice is that it brings righteousness. The term used for this in Scripture is “justification,” which is actually a legal word meaning “acquittal.” But a verdict of acquittal to one who did not deserve it would not be a just action. So when God justifies guilty persons, He transforms them into people who deserve to be acquitted.