What Is Justice?

From a human standpoint, justice is often understood to be nothing more than the fair application of the rules of law. The book Right And Reason-Ethics In Theory and Practice says that "justice is connected with law, obligation, rights and duties and measures out its awards according to equality or merit." Jehovah's justice, however, involves more than the application of regulations our of a sense of duty or obligation.

The breadth and depth of Jehovah's justice can better be understood by considering the original-language words used in the Bible. In the Hebrew Scriptures, three principal words are involved. The word most often rendered "justice" may also be rendered "what is right." (Genesis 18:25) The other two words are usually rendered "righteousness." In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the word translated "righteousness" is defined as the "quality of being right or just." Basically,then, there is no distinction between righteousness and justice. -Amos 5:24.

Hence, when the Bible says that God is just, it is telling us that he does what is right and fair and that he does so consistently, without partiality. (Romans 2:11) Really, it is inconceivable that he would act otherwise. Faithful Elihu stated: "Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!" (Job 34:10) Indeed, it is impossible for Jehovah "to act unjustly." Why? For two important reasons.

First, he is holy. As we noted in Chapter three, Jehovah is infinitely pure and upright. Therefore, he is incapable of acting unrighteously, or unjustly. Consider what that means. The holiness of our heavenly Father give us every reason to trust that he will never mistreat his children. Jesus had such confidence. On the final night of his earthly life, he prayed: "Holy Father, whatch over them [the disciples] on account of your name." (John 17:11) "Holy Father"-in the Scriptures, that form of address applies to Jehovah alone. This is fitting, for no human father can compare with Him in holiness. Jesus had complete faith that his disciples would be safe in the hands of the Father, who is ablolutely pure and clean and entirely separated from all sinfulness. -Matthew 23:9.

Second, unselfish love is intrinsic to God's very nature. Such love moves him to be righteous, or just, in his dealings with others. But injustice in its many forms-including racism, discrimination and partiality-often springs from greed and selfishness, the opposites of love. Regarding the God of love, the Bible assures us: "Jehovah is righteous; he does love righteous acts." (Psalm 11:7) Jehovah says of himself: "I, Jehovah, am loving justice." (Isaiah 61:8) Is it not comforting to know that our God takes delight in doing what is right, or just? -Jeremiah 9:24.

Next time:Mercy And Jehovhah's Perfect Justice

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002