35 Bible Verses about Self Justification

How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of a woman?

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before LORD, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up from us?

But who can abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.

Because the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?

Therefore having been made righteous from faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith for this grace in which we stand, and we take pride in hope of the glory of God.

Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what law, of works? No, but by a law of faith. We therefore consider a man to be made righteous by faith independent of works of law. Or is God of Jews only and not also of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also,read more.
since God is one, who will make the man of circumcision righteous from faith, and the man of uncircumcision through faith.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And what I now live in flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not disregard the grace of God, for if righteousness is through law, then Christ died in vain.

But they and our fathers dealt proudly and stiffened their neck, and did not hearken to thy commandments,

And the Pharisees, being lovers of money, heard all these things, and they sneered him. And he said to them, Ye are those who declare yourselves righteous in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. Because what is lofty among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

And he also spoke this parable to some of those who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous, and disdained other men. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. Having stood by himself, the Pharisee prayed these things: God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, predatory, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.read more.
I fast twice per Sabbath. I tithe all things, as many as I acquire. But the tax collector, having stood from afar, would not even lift his eyes to the sky, but beat upon his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinful man. I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that man. Because every man who lifts himself up will be made lower, and he who makes himself lower will be lifted up.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, The scholars and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat. All things therefore, however many they may tell you to observe, observe and do, but do not ye according to their works, for they say, and do not.read more.
For they bind heavy burdens and difficult to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they do not want to move them with their finger. But all their works they do in order to be seen by men. And they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the hems of their garments. And they love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be designated by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

And in his teaching he said to them, Look away from the scholars, those who desire to go about in long robes, and salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at the feasts,

And while all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, Beware of the scholars, who desire to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at the feasts,

Behold, thou are called a Jew, and rely upon the law, and boast in God, and know his will, and approve the things that are significant, being instructed out of the law. And thou have confidence in thyself to be a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness,read more.
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the childlike, having in the law the essence of knowledge and truth, thou therefore who teach another, do thou not teach thyself? Thou who preach not to steal, do thou steal? Thou who say not to commit adultery, do thou commit adultery? Thou who abhor idols, do thou rob temples? Thou who boast in law, dishonor God by thy transgression of the law. For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, just as it is written. For circumcision is indeed beneficial if thou perform law, but if thou are a transgressor of law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision. If therefore a man of uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the law, will not his uncircumcision be considered circumcision? And the man of natural uncircumcision who fulfills the law, will judge thee, a transgressor of law through a document and circumcision.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up testing him, and saying, Teacher, having done what, would I inherit eternal life? And he said to him, What is written in the law? How read thou? And having answered, he said, Thou shall love Lord thy God from thy whole heart, and from thy whole soul, and from thy whole strength, and from thy whole mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.read more.
And he said to him, Thou answered correctly. Do this and thou will live. But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was earlier described among you, crucified? I only want to learn this from you. Did ye receive the Spirit from works of law, or from a listening ear of faith? Are ye so foolish, having begun in Spirit, are ye now made perfect by flesh?read more.
Did ye suffer so many things in vain? If it is indeed in vain. He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you and who works miracles among you, is it from works of law or from a listening ear of faith?

Ye were discharged from the Christ, ye who are made righteous by law. Ye have fallen from grace.

Then Peter having come to him, he said, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus says to him, I say to thee, not until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Because of this the kingdom of the heavens is compared to a man, a king, who wanted to settle account with his bondmen.read more.
And when he began to settle, one debtor of ten thousand talents was brought to him. But of him not having to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all things, as many as he had, and payment to be made. The bondman therefore having fallen down, worshiped him, saying, Lord, be patient toward me and I will pay thee all. And having felt compassion, the lord of that bondman released him, and forgave him the debt. But after going out, that bondman found one of his fellow bondmen who owed him a hundred denarii. And having grabbed him, he choked him, saying, Pay me if thou owe anything. So his fellow bondman having fallen down at his feet, besought him, saying, Be patience toward me, and I will pay thee. But he would not, instead, having left him, he cast him into prison until he would pay that which was owed. And when his fellow bondmen saw the things that happened, they were extremely sorry. And after coming, they reported to their lord all the things that happened. Then his lord having summoned him, he says to him, Thou evil bondman, I forgave thee all that debt because thou besought me. Was it not necessary for thee also to be merciful to thy fellow bondman, as I also was merciful to thee? And having become angry, his lord delivered him to the tormentors until he would pay all that was due to him. So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if ye do not forgive each man his brother, from your hearts, their trespasses.

And they heard the voice of LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And LORD God called to the man, and said to him, Where are thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. And I hid myself.read more.
And he said, Who told thee that thou was naked? Have thou eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee that thou should not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.

And it came to pass, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. And Moses' anger grew hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it upon the water, and made the sons of Israel drink of it. And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people do to thee, that thou have brought a great sin upon them?read more.
And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord grow hot. Thou know the people, that they are [set] on evil. For they said to me, Make gods for us, which shall go before us. For as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has become of him. And I said to them, Whoever has any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead, but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel [had appointed], but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring here the burnt-offering to me, and the peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering.read more.
And it came to pass that, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came, and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What have thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash, therefore I said, Now the Philistines will come down upon me to Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favor of LORD. I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt-offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou have done foolishly. Thou have not kept the commandment of LORD thy God, which he commanded thee. For now LORD would have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever, but now thy kingdom shall not continue. LORD has sought for him a man after his own heart, and LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because thou have not kept that which LORD commanded thee.

And behold one man having come to him, said, Good teacher, what good thing should I do so that I may have eternal life? And he said to him, Why do thou call me good? There is none good except one, God. But if thou want to enter into life, keep the commandments. He says to him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shall not murder. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not testify falsely.read more.
Honor the father and mother, and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man says to him, All these things I have kept from my youthfulness. What do I lack yet? Jesus said to him, If thou want to be perfect, go, sell the things being possessed by thee, and give to the poor, and thou will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowing, for he was having many possessions.

And as he was going forth on the way, one man having ran to him, and having knelt to him, questioned him, Good teacher, what should I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do thou call me good? None is good except one, God. Thou know the commandments. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not murder. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not testify falsely. Thou shall not defraud. Thou shall honor thy father and mother.read more.
And having answered, he said to him, Teacher, all these things I have observed from my youth. And having looked at him, Jesus loved him, and said to him, One thing thou lack. Go thou, sell as many things as thou have, and give to the poor, and thou will have treasure in heaven. And after taking up the cross, come, follow me But having become somber at the saying, he went away sorrowing, for he was a man who has many possessions.

And a certain ruler questioned him, saying, Good teacher, having done what, will I inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do thou call me good? None is good except one, God. Thou know the commandments. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not murder. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not give FALSE testimony. Honor thy father and thy mother.read more.
And he said, All these things I have kept from my youth. And when he heard these things, Jesus said to him, Yet one thing is lacking from thee. Sell all things, as many as thou have, and distribute to the poor, and thou will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me. But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

Although (I having confidence also in flesh) if any other man seems to be confident in the flesh, I more: in circumcision the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness in law, having become blameless.read more.
But whatever was gain to me, these things I regarded loss because of the Christ. But indeed therefore I even consider all things to be loss because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I suffered the loss of all things, and consider them to be rubbish, so that I may gain C and be found in him, not having my righteousness, that from law, but that through Christ's faith--the righteousness from God based on faith--

Therefore, O man, thou are without excuse, every man who judges, for in what thou judge the other man, thou condemn thyself, for the man who judges is doing the same things. And we know that the judgment of God is in accordance with truth against those who commit such things. And think thou this, O man who judge those who do such things and do the same, that thou will escape the judgment of God?read more.
Or do thou despise the wealth of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God guides thee to repentance? But according to thy hardness, and thy impenitent heart, thou store up wrath to thyself in the day of wrath, and revelation, and righteous judgment of God, who will render to each man according to his works, to those who indeed seek by perseverance of good work, glory and esteem and immortality--eternal life-- but to those of self-interest, and who indeed disobey the truth but have confidence in unrighteousness--anger and wrath, pressure and restriction, upon every soul of man who produces evil, both of the Jew first, and of the Greek, but glory and esteem and peace to every man who works good, both to the Jew first, and to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

And they heard the voice of LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And LORD God called to the man, and said to him, Where are thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. And I hid myself.read more.
And he said, Who told thee that thou was naked? Have thou eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee that thou should not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate. And LORD God said to the woman, What is this thou have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I ate. And LORD God said to the serpent, Because thou have done this, cursed are thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field. Upon thy belly thou shall go, and dust thou shall eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. He shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel. To the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy childbearing, in pain thou shall bring forth children. And thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And to Adam he said, Because thou have hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground for thy sake. In toil thou shall eat of it all Also, thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to thee, and thou shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face thou shall eat bread, till thou return to the ground, for out of it thou were taken. For thou are dust, and to dust thou shall return.

Hear, O earth: Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened to my words. And as for my law, they have rejected it. To what purpose does there come to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me. Therefore thus says LORD: Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.read more.
Thus says LORD, Behold, a people comes from the north country, and a great nation shall be stirred up from the outermost parts of the earth. They lay hold on bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses. Each one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Zion.

For ye are saved by grace through faith, and this a gift of God, not from you, not from works, so that not any man may boast.

But now a righteousness of God has been manifested independent of law, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. And the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is for all and upon all those who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,read more.
being made righteous freely by his grace, through the redemption in Christ Jesus,

For the saving grace of God has appeared to all men,

But when the kindness and philanthropy of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not of works in righteousness that we did, but according to his mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.read more.
So that, having been made righteous by the grace of that man, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

If thou, LORD, should note iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may be feared.

And enter not into judgment with thy servant. For in thy sight no man living is righteous.