Which New Testament book repeatedly uses the phrase 'the righteousness of God' and what does it mean?

• A. Romans; righteousness as a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by works.
• B. Galatians; righteousness earned by good works.
• C. Hebrews; righteousness by ritual observance.
• D. James; righteousness through suffering.

Answer: (B)

Understanding what "the righteousness of God" means in Pauline theology and where the phrase is used most helps unlock the question. The phrase is repeated most prominently in the book of Romans. It carries both a sense of God’s own perfect standard of righteousness and the right status God grants to people who trust in Christ. In Romans, righteousness is not earned by human works but is received as a gift through faith in Jesus. This justification by faith means believers are declared righteous in God’s sight because of Christ, not because of their own merit. That’s why Romans emphasizes faith as the means of receiving righteousness and contrasts it with attempts to achieve righteousness by works of the law. While other books discuss righteousness and living rightly before God, the specific recurring emphasis on God’s righteousness received by faith points most clearly to Romans.