35 Bible Verses about Self Justification

But how may a man compared unto God be justified? Or, how can he be clean, that is born of a woman?

And the men of Bethshemesh said, "Who is able to stand before the LORD, so holy a God, and to whom shall he go from us?"

Who shall endure in the day of his coming, or who shall stand to behold him? For he is as trying fire, and as the herb that fullers scour withal.

for the great day of his wrath is come; And who can endure it?"

Because therefore that we are justified by faith we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom we have a way in, through faith, unto this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the praise that shall be given of God.

Where is then thy rejoicing? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. We suppose, therefore we hold, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of the gentiles? Yes, even of the Gentiles also.read more.
For it is God only which justifieth circumcision, which is of faith: and uncircumcision through faith.

I am crucified with Christ. I live verily, yet now not I, but Christ liveth in me. For the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, which loved me, and gave himself for me. I despise not the grace of God: For if righteousness come of the law, then is Christ died in vain.

But our fathers were proud, and hard necked, so that they followed not thy commandments,

All these things heard the Pharisees also which were covetous. And they mocked him, and he said unto them, "Ye are they, which justify yourselves before men: but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abominable in the sight of God.

And he put forth this similitude, unto certain which trusted in themselves, that they were perfect, and despised others. "Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this publican.read more.
I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all that I possess.' And the publican stood afar off, and would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' I tell you, This man departed home to his house justified more than the other. For every man that exalteth himself, shall be brought low: And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted."

Then spake Jesus to the people, and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, All therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but after their works do not: for they say, and do not.read more.
Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.'

And he said unto them in his doctrine, "Beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to sit in the uppermost rooms at feasts,

Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, "Beware of the scribes, which desire to go in long clothing: and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and chief rooms at feasts,

Behold, thou art called a Jew, and trustest in the law and rejoicest in God, and knowest his will, and hast experience of good and bad, in that thou art informed by the law: And believest that thou thyself art a guide unto the blind, a light to them which are in darkness,read more.
an informer of them which lack discretion, a teacher of the unlearned, which hast the example of that which ought to be known, and of the truth in the law. But thou which teachest another, teachest not thyself. Thou preachest, a man should not steal: and yet thou stealest. Thou sayest, a man should not commit adultery: and thou breakest wedlock. Thou abhorrest images: and robbest God of his honour. Thou rejoicest in the law: and through breaking the law dishonourest God. For the name of God is evil spoken-of among the gentiles, through you, as it is written. Circumcision verily availeth if thou keep the law: But if thou break the law thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the right things contained in the law: shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it keep the law, judge thee, which being under the letter and circumcision, dost transgress the law?

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, "Master what shall I do, to inherit eternal life?" He said unto him, "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" And he answered and said, "Thou shalt love thy Lord God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself."read more.
And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live." He, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "Who is then my neighbor?"

O foolish Galatians: who hath bewitched you, that ye should not believe the truth, to whom Jesus Christ was described before the eyes, and among you crucified? This only would I learn of you: Received ye the spirit by the deeds of the law? Or else by preaching of the faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh?read more.
So many things there ye have suffered in vain, if that be in vain. Which ministered to you the spirit, and worketh miracles among you: doth he it through the deeds of the law? Or by preaching of the faith?

Ye are gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from grace.

Then came Peter to him, and said, "Master, how oft shall I forgive my brother, if he sin against me? Shall I forgive him seven times?" Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee seven times: but seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take accounts of his servants.read more.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents: Whom, because he had nought to pay, his Master commanded him to be sold: and his wife, and his children, and all that he had; and payment to be made. The servant fell down and besought him saying, 'Sir, give me respite, and I will pay it every whit.' Then had the Lord pity on that servant, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which owed him a hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?' And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses."

And they heard the voice of the LORD God as he walked in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam hid himself and his wife also from the face of the LORD God, among the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called Adam and said unto him, "Where art thou?" And he answered, "Thy voice I heard in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked, and therefore hid myself."read more.
And he said, "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, of which I bade thee that thou shouldest not eat?" And Adam answered, "The woman which thou gavest to bear me company, she took me of the tree, and I ate."

And as soon as he came nigh unto the host and saw the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot. And the took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and stamped it unto powder and strowed it in the water, and made the children of Israel drink. And then Moses said unto Aaron, "What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?"read more.
And Aaron said, "Let not the wrath of my lord wax fierce, thou knowest the people that they are even set on mischief. They said unto me, 'Make us a god to go before us, for we wot not what is become of Moses, the fellow that brought us out of the land of Egypt.' And I said unto them, 'Let them that have gold, take and bring it me': and I cast it into the fire, and thereof came out this calf."

And the Hebrews went over Jordan unto the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul was yet in Gilgal, and all the people that followed him were astonished. And he tarried seven days, as Samuel had appointed. But Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people scattered from him. Wherefore Saul said, "Bring burnt sacrifice to me and peace offerings." And he offered burnt sacrifice.read more.
And as soon as he had made an end of offering burnt offerings behold, Samuel came. And Saul went against him, to salute him. Then said Samuel to Saul, "What hast thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people scattered from me, and yet thou camest not within the days appointed - and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash - then said I, 'The Philistines shall come down upon me to Gilgal, before I have made supplication unto the LORD.' And therefore I took a courage with me and offered burnt offerings." Then said Samuel to Saul, "Thou hast done foolishly and hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God which he commanded thee. For at this time would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue. The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and hath commanded him to be a captain over his people: because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."

And behold, one came, and said unto him, Good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" He said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, and that is, God: But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." The other said, "Which?" And Jesus said, "Thou shalt not kill: thou shalt not break wedlock. Thou shall not steal: thou shalt not bear false witness.read more.
Honour father and mother: and thou shalt love thine neighbor as thyself." And the young man said unto him, "I have observed all these things from my youth, what lack I yet?" And Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." When the young man heard that saying, he went away mourning. For he had great possessions.

And when he was come out into the way, there came one running and kneeled to him, and asked him, "Good Master, what shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why callest thou me good? There is no man good but one, which is God. Thou knowest the commandments: break not matrimony, kill not, steal not, bear no false witness, defraud no man, honour thy father and thy mother."read more.
He answered and said to him, "Master, all these I have observed from my youth." Jesus beheld him, and had a favour to him, and said unto him, "One thing is lacking unto thee. Go, and sell all that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me, and take up thy cross on thee." But he was discomforted with that saying, and went away mourning, for he had great possessions.

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good Master: what ought I to do, to obtain eternal life?" Jesus said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? None is good, save God only. Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness; Honour thy father, and thy mother."read more.
And he said, "All of these have I kept from my youth." When Jesus heard that, he said unto him, "Yet lackest thou one thing. Sell all that thou hast, and distribute it unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me." When he heard that, he was heavy, for he was very rich.

though I have whereof I might rejoice in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, much more I: circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew born of the Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee, and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law, I was unrebukable.read more.
But the things that were vantage unto me I counted loss for Christ's sake. Yea I think all things but loss for that excellent knowledge's sake of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whom I have counted all thing loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ, and might be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law: But that which springeth of the faith which is in Christ. I mean, the righteousness which cometh of God through faith

Therefore art thou inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou be that judgest. For in the same wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself. For thou that judgest doest even the same self things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things. Thinkest thou this, O thou man that judgest them which do such things and yet doest even the very same: that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?read more.
Either despisest thou the riches of his goodness and patience, and long sufferance? And rememberest not how that the kindness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But thou, after thine hard heart that cannot repent, heapest thee together the treasure of wrath against the day of vengeance: when shall be opened the righteous judgment of God, which will reward every man according to his deeds, that is to say: praise, honour, and immortality, to them which continue in good doing, and seek eternal life. But unto them that are rebellious, and disobey the truth, and follow iniquity, shall come indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon the soul of every man that doth evil. Of the Jew first: And also of the gentile. To every man that doth good shall come praise, honour and peace, to the Jew first, and also to the gentile. For there is no partiality with God:

He that is stiff necked and will not be reformed, shall suddenly be destroyed without any help.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God as he walked in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam hid himself and his wife also from the face of the LORD God, among the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called Adam and said unto him, "Where art thou?" And he answered, "Thy voice I heard in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked, and therefore hid myself."read more.
And he said, "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, of which I bade thee that thou shouldest not eat?" And Adam answered, "The woman which thou gavest to bear me company, she took me of the tree, and I ate." And the LORD God said unto the woman, "Wherefore didst thou so?" And the woman answered, "The serpent deceived me and I ate." And the LORD God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast so done, most cursed be thou of all cattle and of all beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all days of thy life. Moreover, I will put hatred between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. And that seed shall tread thee on the head, and thou shalt tread it on the heel." And unto the woman he said, "I will surely increase thy sorrow and make thee oft with child, and with pain shalt thou be delivered: And thy lusts shall pertain unto thy husband and he shall rule thee." And unto Adam he said, "Forasmuch as thou hast obeyed the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying 'See thou eat not thereof' cursed be the earth for thy sake. In sorrow shalt thou eat thereof all days of thy life: and it shall bear thorns and thistles unto thee. And thou shalt eat the herbs of the field: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return unto the earth whence thou wast taken: for earth thou art, and unto earth shalt thou return."

Hear thou earth also: behold, I will cause a plague come upon this people, even the fruit of their own imaginations. For they have not been obedient unto my words and to my law, but abhorred them. Wherefore bring ye me incense from Sheba, and sweet smelling Calamus from far countries? Your burnt offerings displease me, and I rejoice not in your sacrifices. And therefore thus sayeth the LORD, 'Behold, I will make this people fall, and there shall fall from among them the father with the children; one neighbour shall perish with another.'"read more.
Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD, "Behold, there shall come a people from the North, and a great people shall arise from the ends of the earth; with bows and with darts shall they be weaponed. It is a rough and fierce people, an unmerciful people: their voice roareth like the sea, they ride upon horses well appointed to the battle against thee, O daughter Zion!"

For by grace are ye made safe through faith, and that, not of yourselves: For it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself.

Now, verily, is the righteousness that cometh of God declared without the fulfilling of the law: having witness yet of the law, and of the prophets. The righteousness, no doubt, which is good before God cometh by the faith of Jesus Christ: unto all, and upon all them that believe. There is no difference: For all have sinned, and lack the praise that is of valour before God:read more.
but are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared

But after that the kindness and love of our saviour God to man ward appeared, not of the deeds of righteousness which we wrought, but of his mercy, he saved us, by the fountain of the new birth, and with the renewing of the holy ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our saviour;read more.
that we, once justified by his grace, should be heirs of eternal life, through hope.

If thou, LORD wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O LORD who may abide it? But there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.