The Bible condemns self-righteousness, saying there is none righteous, not one, and warns that trusting in one's own righteousness leads to despising others.
Self-righteousness is defined as trusting in one's own righteousness rather than in God's grace. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a parable specifically targeting those who are self-righteous and look down upon others. This parable reveals that self-righteousness is an affront to God because it contradicts the truth of scripture, which asserts that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It emphasizes that one's own righteousness cannot earn favor with God, as it diverts the believer from the necessary dependence on Christ's righteousness, which alone justifies.
Scripture References:
Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23, Luke 14:25-35, Romans 11:6, Luke 11:39-40, John 4:24, Romans 10:3, Matthew 15:8, Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 4:25-27, Romans 3:20, Luke 18:11-14, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 23:4-5, Romans 3:10-12, Genesis 3:6-13, Matthew 5:20, Romans 7:7-13, Romans 3:10, Titus 3:5, Luke 5:31-32; Romans 5:6-10, Philippians 3:9, Matthew 23:13-33, Galatians 2:21, Romans 10:3-4
Commentary