For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
Parallel translations
- KJV For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
- BSB But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.
- NKJV For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
- NASB For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
- NLT But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
By the Spirit and through faith, believers eagerly await the hope of righteousness. The Christian life looks forward in faith, not backward to law-works.
Overview
In contrast to the legalists, Paul describes genuine believers as those who, empowered by the Spirit and resting in faith, await the full realization of the righteousness already credited to them. The 'hope of righteousness' points to the consummation of salvation at Christ's return. This verse roots Christian assurance in the Spirit's work and faith, not human achievement.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 130:5I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
- 1 Th 1:10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
- Rom 8:23–25Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
- Ps 62:5My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
- 2 Tim 4:8From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
- Phil 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
- Titus 2:13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ;
- Gen 49:18I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh.
- Rom 5:21that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Hos 12:6Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
- Ps 25:5Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.
- 2 Th 3:5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ.
- Lam 3:25–26Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
- Eph 2:18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
- Ps 25:3Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed. They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.
- John 16:8–15When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
How Galatians 5:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.