And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice,
וְאִ֖ישׁ כִּי־יִהְיֶ֣ה צַדִּ֑יק וְעָשָׂ֥ה מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּצְדָקָֽה׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In summary, the spirit of the just is imbued with the unity of all that ought to be properly discerned and enacted. This truth is clearly articulated by Ezekiel, through whom the Lord proclaims: But the man that is righteous does righteousness.
The soul that sins will face death. However, the individual who acts righteously, who does not commit violence toward others, who brings no harm to anyone, and who does not engage in theft or injustice, shall not perish. Yet, if his father causes him sorrow and profits from wrongful gain, that person will die due to his transgressions. The Jews claimed that their ancestors sinned and thus they bear the consequences of those sins. God responds to them, asserting that this assertion is false; rather, you endure punishment for your own misdeeds. Indeed, every person who has consumed the fruit of the moles shall experience the stiffening of his teeth.
And if a man is upright, practicing justice and righteousness, refraining from feasting on the mountains, avoiding the idols of Israel, being faithful to his neighbor’s spouse, respecting his wife during her time of purification, not oppressing others, returning what is owed to a borrower, and not stealing, he shares his bread with the hungry and provides clothing for the naked, does not lend with interest, and does not take anything more than what he has given, he turns away from wrongdoing, delivers fair judgments among people, follows my commandments, and observes my statutes so as to act in truth: this man is just, and he shall live, declares the Lord God.
Concerning the saying, "I will punish the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation" (Ex. 20:6), it is important to clarify that it does not mean what many believe, nor does it align with this view: the fathers ate sour grapes, and the children's teeth were set on edge. Hear this: if a father is righteous in his actions and avoids unrighteousness, yet has a wicked son who turns away from his father’s virtues to indulge in vice, will the son not die for his actions while the father lives because of his righteousness? Let us examine the father's virtues, which can be categorized into seventeen parts. First, he renders judicial decisions; second, he combines justice with judgment; third, he does not partake in feasting on high places; fourth, he does not set his gaze upon idols, or as the LXX translates, the thoughts of Israel; fifth, he does not dishonor his neighbor’s spouse; sixth, he respects his wife during her purification; seventh, he does not oppress anyone, as noted by the LXX; eighth, he returns a stranger's pledge; ninth, he does not steal through coercion; tenth, he gives his bread to the needy; eleventh, he clothes the naked; twelfth, he does not lend interest; thirteenth, he takes nothing beyond what he has given; fourteenth, he turns away from injustice; fifteenth, he provides true judgment between individuals; sixteenth, he acts in accordance with the commandments of the Lord; seventeenth, he keeps His statutes and judgments. We will discuss these principles further.
A righteous man makes judgments wisely, as Proverbs states, “The plans of the righteous are just” (Prov. 12:5). This virtue enables him to act with deliberation and fairness in all matters, allowing him to declare, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Ps. 18:10). When he judges justly in court, without hypocrisy, he fulfills the commandment of the Lord: “You shall judge righteously, with impartiality” (Prov. 18). He boldly declares, “My soul longs for Your rules at all times” (Ps. 118:20). He acknowledges, “The way of Your statutes is a delight” (Ps. 118:30) and “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right” (Ps. 118:75). He attains the deep understanding that leads him to exclaim, “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments!” (Rom. 11:33), and in prayer, he declares, “Your judgments are good” (Ps. 118:39).
Justice is accompanied by truth, and one who possesses truth will have Christ, who, as the Apostle writes, is our wisdom, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30), enabling him to fulfill the genuine truth and avoid deceit in his judgments. The third principle pertains to not feasting on high places, which is viewed as a sin of idolatry. Scripture often narrates that the people engaged in rituals on high places, where sacrifices to idols were made (1 Kings 22:43; 2 Chron. 20). Thus, one who partakes in mountain feasts is akin to the Pharisee who boasts, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men… I fast twice a week” (Luke 18:11), while the tax collector humbly acknowledges, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
Turning one’s gaze towards the idols of the house of Israel, or the deceptive thoughts of heretics, leads to the worship of falsehoods crafted from the human heart, corrupting the simplicity of faith. The admonition against dishonoring one's neighbor's wife clearly forbids adultery. If "neighbor" were understood narrowly, we might think it only applies to friends, freeing us to engage with those considered enemies. Yet, Scripture defines a neighbor broadly, as shown in Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan, which illustrates mercy as the true mark of neighborliness.
The sixth principle instructs against approaching a woman during her purification. Monthly cycles are part of a natural process, and any union during this time results in a conception deemed tainted. This principle teaches that husbands should know when to unite and when to abstain from their wives, aligning with the guidance of Ecclesiastes: there is “a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing” (Eccl. 3:5). This understanding promotes respect and restraint within the marital relationship.
Seventh, one must avoid oppression or coercion. The ancient Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, and this extends beyond external oppression to the internal struggles within the Church—where leaders may act arrogantly against their flock. The Savior reminds us that true leadership means becoming the least among others (Matt. 20:27). It is said that to offend another is to grieve the Holy Spirit within us (Eph. 4:30). Hence, the wisdom that scolds pride is significant: the humble receive grace (James 4:6).
Next, the responsibility to return a pledge to the debtor emphasizes caring for the needy, as portrayed in the law (Deut. 24). Mercy is integral here; if we share bread with the hungry and clothe the naked, how much more should we restore what belongs to the one in need?
Eighth, one must not engage in theft through force. The Apostle warns against associating with thieves, for thievery is inherently violent (1 Cor. 6). However, there is a divine purpose in taking what is lost from those intent on destruction, as demonstrated in the Good Shepherd's care for His flock (John 10:29).
Tenth, giving bread to the hungry signifies that true charity is directed towards those in need, not the satisfied, with alluding to the spiritual sustenance of Christ—the bread from heaven (John 6:51). This aligns with the beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).
Eleventh is the call to provide clothing not just physically but spiritually—offering the garments of faith, as seen in Paul’s declaration that in Christ, we are clothed as one body (Gal. 3:27).
Twelfth, in terms of interest, it is vital to understand that profit without love undermines true generosity—as seen in the call against usury in both the Old Testament and the teachings of Christ.
Thirteenth, one should not demand more than what has been given. This can be interpreted broadly, for it ensures honesty in dealings and fairness in exchanges.
Fourteenth, one must actively avoid all forms of injustice. This principle encourages a holistic approach to righteousness, advocating for integrity in speech, sight, and action.
Fifteenth, the importance of enacting fair judgment emphasizes the need for justice and integrity within community relationships.
Lastly, by adhering to God's commandments and observances, one is called to embody the truth of faith, which leads to genuine life as affirmed by God Himself.
Thus, the one who truly practices righteousness, eschewing the sins of the father, shall find life in their virtues.
The individual who is just and practices justice, maintaining a faithful balance of equity, shall not engage in idol worship, which is symbolized by eating on the mountains where these temples are erected. Furthermore, he shall not allow himself to be swayed by the desires of the people of Israel, thus avoiding their wicked inclinations. He is portrayed as one who steers clear of both wrongdoing and moral corruption. Additionally, he will not violate his neighbor's marriage nor approach a woman during her menstrual cycle; this signifies that he shall not take advantage of another man’s relationship or come near to a woman who is in a state of flow, as these actions are also prohibited by the Scriptures.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS