Holiness vs. Righteousness — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Holiness involves sanctity and separation from sin, focusing on purity; righteousness concerns moral rightness and adherence to laws.
Difference Between Holiness and Righteousness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Holiness is characterized by a state of being sacred and spiritually pure, often in a religious or spiritual context. This state involves separation from what is considered sinful or morally impure. Righteousness, on the other hand, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable. It emphasizes adherence to both ethical laws and societal norms.
In religious contexts, holiness is seen as a quality intrinsic to one's relationship with the divine, reflecting spiritual purity and a commitment to religious practices. Righteousness, whereas, is often about the external actions one performs and how they align with moral and ethical standards.
Holiness can be considered more about one's internal state and personal spiritual journey. It relates to personal sanctity and the pursuit of being set apart for religious purposes. Righteousness, on the other hand, can be seen as more outward-facing, dealing with one's actions in the world and interactions with others.
The pursuit of holiness typically requires personal sacrifice and a lifestyle dedicated to spiritual disciplines. It is often about avoiding profanity and maintaining purity in thoughts and deeds. Righteousness, on the other hand, might involve acting justly and fairly, where moral integrity and the treatment of others come into play.
The consequences of holiness can be spiritual rewards and a closer connection to the divine, reflecting an inner peace and sanctity. Righteousness, however, often leads to societal approval and can be seen in the context of legal and social justice, affecting how one is viewed by others in a community.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Spiritual purity and separation
Moral integrity and law adherence
Context
Primarily religious
Moral, legal, and social
Internal/External
Internal state
External actions
Pursuit
Personal sacrifice, spiritual disciplines
Just actions, fair treatment
Consequences
Spiritual rewards, closer divine connection
Societal approval, legal/social justice
Compare with Definitions
Holiness
Sacred, consecrated.
Ancient texts often describe the holiness of temple artifacts.
Righteousness
Virtuous living.
Righteousness requires a commitment to truth and integrity.
Holiness
Spiritual purity.
His lifelong quest for holiness kept him away from worldly desires.
Righteousness
Justice in accordance with ethical principles.
She fought for righteousness in government practices.
Holiness
Religious sanctity.
The festival is celebrated to honor the holiness of the saint.
Righteousness
Conformity to moral law.
The community leader's righteousness won him respect and trust.
Holiness
State of being holy.
The priest emphasized the holiness required to enter the sacred grounds.
Righteousness
Quality of being morally right.
His righteousness was evident in his fair dealings with others.
Holiness
Separation from sin.
The doctrine teaches that holiness involves separating oneself from worldly vices.
Righteousness
Legal and moral integrity.
The law is based on the principles of righteousness and fairness.
Holiness
The state or quality of being holy; sanctity.
Righteousness
Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright".
Holiness
Holiness Used with His or Your as a title and form of address for the head of certain religions, such as the pope or Dalai Lama.
Righteousness
The quality of being morally right or justifiable
We had little doubt about the righteousness of our cause
Conviction of his own moral righteousness gave his oratory an irresistible power
Holiness
The state or condition of being holy.
Righteousness
Morally upright; without guilt or sin
A righteous parishioner.
Holiness
The state or quality of being holy; perfect moral integrity or purity; freedom from sin; sanctity; innocence.
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness!
Righteousness
In accordance with virtue or morality
A righteous judgment.
Holiness
The state of being hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship; sacredness.
Israel was holiness unto the Lord.
Righteousness
Righteous people considered as a group.
Holiness
The quality of being holy
Righteousness
(uncountable) The quality or state of being righteous.
Righteousness
Holiness; conformity of life to the divine law.
Righteousness
(countable) A righteous act, or righteous quality.
Righteousness
The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
Righteousness
(theology) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.
Righteousness
The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude.
Righteousness
A righteous act, or righteous quality.
All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Righteousness
The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Righteousness
The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground of justification.
There are two kinds of Christian righteousness: the one without us, which we have by imputation; the other in us, which consisteth of faith, hope, and charity, and other Christian virtues.
Only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Righteousness
Adhering to moral principles
Common Curiosities
What is righteousness?
Righteousness is the quality of being morally correct, following ethical and legal standards.
How do holiness and righteousness differ in a religious context?
Holiness relates to spiritual sanctity and separation from sin, whereas righteousness focuses on moral and ethical behavior.
What is holiness?
Holiness refers to the state of being holy, often involving spiritual purity and separation from sin.
What are the practical applications of holiness?
Holiness often involves personal sacrifices and adherence to religious practices.
Is holiness attainable without religious belief?
Typically, holiness is tied to religious or spiritual contexts, making it difficult to separate from these beliefs.
Can someone be righteous but not holy?
Yes, someone can be righteous by adhering to moral laws without necessarily being involved in spiritual practices that confer holiness.
Does holiness affect one's lifestyle?
Yes, pursuing holiness usually requires a lifestyle committed to spiritual disciplines and moral purity.
What are the practical applications of righteousness?
Righteousness involves acting justly and upholding moral and legal standards in one's community.
How can righteousness impact a community?
Righteousness can lead to a more just and fair impact on entire community.
How does society view righteousness?
Society generally views righteousness positively, as it aligns with ethical behavior and justice.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
