23 Bible Verses about Self Justification

for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to subsist?"

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access by faith to that degree of favour, we are in, by which we triumph in the hopes of divine glory.

what reason then is there for boasting? it is excluded. what, by the ceremonial law? no: but by the law of faith. for we conclude, that a man is justified by faith, without observing the legal rites. is God the God of the Jews only, and not of the Gentiles? surely he is of the Gentiles too;read more.
since it is one God, who will justify both the Jews and the Gentiles, through faith.

I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if justification be by the law, Christ died to no purpose.

The Pharisees too, who were noted for avarice, heard all this discourse, and treated him with derision. but he said to them, you pretend to piety before men, which, however they may admire, is an abomination to God, who knows your real temper.

Then he propos'd this parable, concerning those who had a great opinion of their own justice, and look'd with contempt upon others. two men went to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a Publican. the Pharisee in a standing posture pray'd thus by himself, O God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men, a robber, a cheat, an adulterer, or like that Publican.read more.
I fast twice a week, and I pay the tythe of all I possess. but the Publican, who stood a good way lower, not daring to lift up even his eyes to heaven, only smote his breast, and said, O God, be merciful to me, who am a sinner. I tell you this man went home approv'd as just, and not the other. for whoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Then Jesus addressing himself to the people, and to his disciples, said, the Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's chair. therefore whatever moral precepts they bid you observe, those observe and practise; but don't follow their example: for they preach one thing, and practise another.read more.
for they load men with intolerable impositions, and will not take the least pains to ease them of the burthen: they do nothing but out of ostentation, their phylacterys are broader, and the fringes of their garments are larger than those of others: they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues, to be saluted in publick places, and to have men address to them with the title of Doctor Doctor.

in the sequel of the discourse, he said to them, beware of the Scribes, who affect to walk about in their long robes, to be saluted in publick places, and to have the first seats in their synagogues, and at their feasts:

then in the audience of all the people, he said to his disciples, beware of the Scribes, who are fond of appearing in their long robes, affect to be saluted in publick, to have the upper hand in the synagogues, and at all entertainments.

'Tis true, you bear the name of a Jew, you depend upon the law, and boast of your worship: you know the divine will, and what is contrary thereto, having been educated in the law: you think you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,read more.
an instructer of the ignorant, a teacher to the weak, because you have a clear view of the true meaning of the law. you therefore who instruct others don't you instruct yourself? you who preach against stealing, do you steal? you who declaim against adultery, do you commit adultery? you who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? and you, who glory in the law, do you dishonour God by the violation of the law? for (as it is written) the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles by your miscarriages. Circumcision indeed is an advantage, if you keep the law: but if you violate the law, your being a Jew makes you no better than a heathen. if therefore an uncircumcised Gentile keep the moral precepts contained in the law, shall not he be reckon'd, as if he were circumcised? and shall not a Gentile, tho' he is not actually circumcised, if he fulfil the law, condemn thee, who, tho' literally circumcised, dost yet transgress the law?

Then a doctor of the law stood up to try him, saying, master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? to whom he answered, how does the law run in that case? what do you find? he replied, 'tis thus, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy understanding; and thy neighbour as thy self."read more.
you have answered well, replied Jesus, do this, and you shall live. but he being desirous to clear himself, said to Jesus, but what is meant by our neighbour?

O foolish Galatians, who hath deluded you, you that have had the crucifixion of Jesus Christ represented to your view? this one thing I desire to know of you, did you receive the spirit by the works of the law, or by the gospel preach'd to you? have you so little understanding, as having begun in the spiritual doctrine of the gospel, to turn again to the law?read more.
have you suffered so many things in vain? if it be in vain. he therefore that ministreth the spirit to you, and worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the preaching of faith?

Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

Then Peter advancing to him, said, Lord, if my brother injures me, how many injuries must I forgive him? must I forgive him seven? Jesus answered, I tell thee not only seven: but seventy times seven. In this respect the gospel-kingdom may be represented by that of a temporal prince, who had a mind to call his servants to account.read more.
when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him indebted the sum of ten thousand talents. but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment. the servant therefore fell prostrate before him, and cry'd out, Lord, allow me but time and I will pay the whole. upon which the lord of that vassal, touch'd with compassion, gave him his liberty, and discharged him of the debt. but this very servant presently after met with one of his fellow-servants, who owed him an hundred pence: and violently seizing him, said, pay me the debt. and his fellow-servant fell at his feet, and embraced him, saying, allow me time, and I will pay thee all. which he would not allow: but immediately threw him into prison, till he should pay the debt. his fellow-servants upon seeing this were very much concern'd, and went to acquaint their master with what had pass'd. then his lord order'd him to be call'd, and said to him, O thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thy debt, upon your request: should not you then have had the like compassion for thy fellow servant as I had for thee? so that his lord in great displeasure delivered him to the jayler till he should pay the whole debt. in the same manner will my heavenly father likewise treat you, if ye do not sincerely forgive every one the trespasses of his brother.

Immediately one came near him, saying, good master, what good shall I do, to obtain eternal life? and he said to him, why do you stile me good? there is but one that is good, that is God. but if you would enter into life, keep the commandments. he reply'd, which? Jesus said, "thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,read more.
honour thy father and thy mother: and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." the young man answer'd, all these things have I practis'd from my youth: what is it that is further required? Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me. but when the young man heard that, he went away dejected: for he had great possessions.

When he was set out upon his journey, there met him one, who kneeling down before him, said, good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said to him, why do you call me good? there is but one, who is good, that is God. you know the commandments, "do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honour your father, and mother."read more.
to which he answered, master, said he, all these precepts have I observed from my youth. then Jesus looking upon him with a favourable eye, said, there is one thing still to be done; go, sell all your estate, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me. but he was troubled at this answer, and went away very sorrowful, for he had a great estate.

Then a person of distinction ask'd him this question, good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus replied, why do you call me good? there is but one who is good, that is God. you know the commandments, "do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour thy father and mother."read more.
all these, said he, have I observ'd from my youth. upon hearing that, Jesus said to him, one thing you have yet to do: sell all you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come, and follow me. upon hearing this he was very sad: for he had a large estate.

which I might do more justly than any other man can pretend to: being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee. if zeal is to be regarded, I persecuted the church; if the integrity prescrib'd by the law, I am without reproach;read more.
these advantages I renounce for Christ, nay I think them disadvantages when put in competition with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whose sake I abandon all these things, and count them as straw, that I may gain Christ, and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel,

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art, that condemnest another, for by condemning them, you condemn yourself; since you that condemn them, do the same things. but we know that the judgment of God against those who commit such crimes, is just. do you think then, O man, who do what you condemn in others, that you shall escape the judgment of God?read more.
or do you despise the riches of his kindness, and forbearance, and long-suffering; not considering that the kindness of God invites you to repentance? however by your impenitence, and the insensibility of your heart, you treasure up for yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his actions: eternal life to those, who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality; but unto those who are contentious, and do not yield to the truth, but give way to injustice, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish to every one that doth evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that acts right, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: since with God there is no respect of persons.

for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us: it is the gift of God) but not by works, so that no man can boast:

but the divine justification certified by the law and the prophets, is now clearly proposed independently of the law: that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction: for all having sinned, all have forfeited eternal glory:read more.
being justified by his unmerited favour through the redemption that is by Jesus Christ:

For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind:

but when the kindness and love of God our saviour display'd itself to mankind, he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit, thro' Jesus Christ our saviour:read more.
that being justified by his favour, we should have the inheritance of eternal life, according to our hopes.