There was a recent thread on SI directed to Philologos asking about the Greek construction of Galatians 2.20, "...the faith of the Son of God..." which apparently in the original is something like, "I live by faith, that of the Son of God..."
Here's a new question for him (and for any others who have insight into this). I'm thankful, all of you, for your expertise.
Once again in Galatians, this time at Ch. 5.5, what is "the hope of righteousness"?
Paul, after showing clearly that those who seek to be justified (made righteous) by the Law are alienating themselves from Christ, then says, "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."
Is he saying, "the hope which is righteousness," or "righteousness'es hope"?
What is the Greek construction here? Is our hope righteousness? Or do we who are righteous have a hope which the unrighteous do not have? And what then is that hope?
I see in my interlinear that the order is, "For we by (the) Spirit by faith (the) hope of righteousness await."
My own thoughts are that both of the two options I suggested above are right. We await the hope which is Righteousness, but not from an unrighteous standing, but from a standing of justification by faith. We stand righteous before God by our faith in Christ... and from that standpoint we await (and pursue) the fulness of His righteousness (and HE Himself is our Righteousness) dwelling in our hearts till we shine forth "righteous as He is righteous" (1 Jn. 3.7).
Because, I know I am justified (declared righteous) by faith. But I also know that I am not totally FULL of righteousness. Not yet. But it is my HOPE to become FULL of righteousness, "having no part dark." For, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be FILLED" (Mt. 5.6).
This I believe was Paul's owm hope, as he showed in Philippians, where he counted his own righteousness, and for that matter, ALL things, but dung, "that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith..." (Phil. 3.9).
And again in Romans, speaking of the Gospel, "for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1.17).
God has more righteousness to reveal, to unveil, to the faith of the justified, as that faith grows. That is our hope! And what a precious Hope it is!
So... thanks to any who have any insight on this. I'm seeking confirmation or correction of my own thoughts. It's much appreciated.
AD