The Significance of “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

The phrase “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” is a powerful christian law used by Jesus in Matthew 5:20 from the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus raises the bar for righteousness, challenging the legalistic external approach of the scribes and Pharisees and calling for a deeper internal transformation.

Context of the Phrase

The law appears within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, a collection of teachings focusing on right living and morality for spreading God’s message. The law “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” found in the Gospel of Matthew 5:20, comes from the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most famous and influential teachings of Jesus Christ. In the context, Jesus is addressing a crowd of his disciples and followers. He is establishing a new standard for righteousness, one that goes beyond the external rituals and legalistic interpretations of the Jewish law practiced by the scribes and Pharisees.

The scribes and Pharisees were religious leaders who held positions of authority and influence in Jewish society. They were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and their meticulous observance of religious traditions. However, Jesus criticized them for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness, arguing that they were more concerned with outward appearances than genuine piety.

Significance of the Phrase

The law “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” is significant because it sets a high standard for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. It emphasizes that legalistic external approach is insufficient, true righteousness requires a deeper internal transformation and a God pleasing life.

It raises the bar of God’s salvation: By stating that only those whose righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees will enter the kingdom of heaven, Jesus sets a high standard for salvation. This challenges the popular belief at the time that following the law was enough to earn salvation.

It emphasizes the importance of God’s grace: While the statement raises the bar for righteousness, it also points to the need for God’s grace. Since no human can achieve perfect righteousness on their own, the statement implies that entering the kingdom of heaven ultimately depends on God’s love and forgiveness.

Application of the Phrase

The law “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” serves as a call to a higher standard of righteousness for all who seek to enter the kingdom of heaven. While it raises the bar for salvation, it also reminds us of the importance for grace and the need for humility. By applying it to our lives, we can grow closer to God and live in a way that is pleasing to him.

The law has several important applications for Christians:

It calls for a internal transformation: Christians are called to live lives that are not just outwardly righteous but also inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit. This requires a regular study of scripture, prayer, and active participation in the Christian community.

It calls for a humble attiude: We must acknowledge that we are all sinners and fall short of God’s standards. This humility opens us up to God’s grace and allows us to rely on him for our salvation.

It calls for a self-judgment: It means to judge ourselves by God’s standards, not by the standards of others. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should focus on aligning ourselves with God’s will. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and legalism.

Ultimately, the law challenges us to strive for a deeper understanding of God’s righteousness and to live our lives in accordance with it.