Rättfärdighetsbegreppet i Matteusevangeliet Språkliga betydelser och teologiska funktioner av 'rättfärdighet' och 'rättfärdig'
This thesis examines the concept of righteousness in the Gospel of Matthew. The research explores the literal meanings and theological functions of the noun ?righteousness? and the adjective ?righteous? through a descriptiveand comparative study of all the pericopes which include these words. The research also includes relevant information about the historical context of the text as well as the central theological themes which relate to the subject.In the research on the literal meanings, it seems that both words primarily occur in ethical teaching and that the concept of righteousness in Matthew is closely related to humanconduct (e.g. Matt 5:20; 6:1). This ethic is connected to faithfulness towards the law asinterpreted by Jesus. However, there could be aspects of a divine gift by grace in some of thepericopes (Matt 5:6; 6:33).It is clear that the theological functions of the concept of righteousness are bothsoteriological and eschatological. This is evident from the different contexts in many of thepericopes which often contain teaching about salvation or are connected to the ?kingdom?.In the final discussion, the focus is placed on a critique of the sharp division betweengrace and demand which often occurs in commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew. Here Irelate my results to the arguments developed by Benno Przybylski. An inclusive and holisticview of righteousness is proposed where grace and demand are intertwined with each other.Finally some further implications for the research are developed where the importance of notreading the gospel of Matthew through the eyes of Paul is highlighted.