Deuteronomy 16:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The law prohibits both the mistreatment and the misguided pity towards individuals facing poverty and hardship, upholding the integrity of just judgment and positioning the judge as a defender of equity. For it is written, “righteousness, righteousness thou shalt seek” (Deuteronomy 16:20), illustrating that even actions appearing virtuous can fall short of true justice if they transgress the law. Authentic goodness, then, requires careful consideration, and misguided acts of charity cannot avoid the risk of violating the law.

In a different scripture, we are advised to adhere to what is just, so that we do not stray from holiness due to a personal interpretation of truth, recalling the example of Saul and Agag (See 1 Samuel 15:9). Blessed Jerome demonstrates to the Pelagians that unacknowledged sin is also subject to judgment.

If acts of righteousness were always carried out in a righteous manner, would it then be conveyed, "Perform acts of righteousness righteously"? The Saviour Himself demonstrated that righteous actions can be executed in an unrighteous way: “When you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you” (Matthew 6:2). “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites” (Matt. 6:5). While giving alms is commendable and prayer is virtuous (cf. Tob. 12:8), both can be performed with wrong motives, such as seeking affirmation from others or giving to a beggar simply to display your kindness (cf. Mt. 6:5).

What does the phrase 'seek justice' (Deuteronomy 16:20) signify? In alignment with the essence of righteousness, one should engage in good deeds, not for selfish recognition or to win the approval of others, but for the sake of goodness itself. Some, despite not genuinely honoring the truth, feign respect for it in order to appear pious to those who truly value the truth.

The righteousness of the just will be sought after. Those who start with goodness but ultimately fall into wickedness ought to be identified as individuals lacking zeal and filled with sorrow. They are the ones who initially support the needy but ultimately seek to benefit themselves. To caution them, Sacred Scripture declares: ‘Persecute the righteous righteous.’ Those who are equipped with a genuine care for the poor must not withhold from those they are meant to assist, nor should they take for themselves what rightfully belongs to others.

What does a judge seek in the law and during legal proceedings? The answer is truth. If one could guarantee that the truth would remain concealed, it would undermine both law and justice.