Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification

by Alister E. McGrath

Paul’s term ‘justification (Greek: dikaiōsis)’ appears to have been assimilated to this transformative narrative framework. John Chrysostom considers this theme in his commentary on Romans, noting that God’s righteousness is given to believers as a result of their faith. ‘For you do not achieve it by toiling and labor, but you receive it by a gift from above, contributing one thing only from your own resources – believing.’55 Chrysostom develops this further in his comments on Romans 3:25, picking up on the idea of the declaration of God’s righteousness. So how are we to understand this ‘declaration’ of the righteousness of God? Chrysostom’s account affirms the declaration or manifestation (endeixeis)