What does it mean that Joseph was a just man (Matthew 1:19)?

Response

Matthew 1:19 depicts Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, as a righteous man. The passage states, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:18-19;ESV).

The Greek term translated as “righteous” denotes moral integrity. This same term is used frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Romans. Matthew portrays Joseph as a man of integrity, a righteous man who followed the law and aimed to live according to God’s principles. Joseph shared similarities with Cornelius, the devout centurion who revered God (Acts 10:1-2).

The description of Joseph as “a righteous man” does not imply that he possessed an inherent goodness that led to salvation or earned him God’s favor. Many figures in the Old Testament were commended for their moral uprightness, but it would be incorrect to assume that their moral conduct was what saved them. Salvation has always been through grace by faith, not by deeds (Galatians 2:16;Ephesians 2:8-9;Romans 3:20-24). Paul underscores this truth, citing Abraham as an example: “What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’” (Romans 4:3;cf: Genesis 15:6). The distinction between the faith of the Old Testament figures and our faith today lies in the specific promise upon which our faith is grounded.

Let’s consider a few examples:

• Adam,After the fall, Adam believed God’s promise in Genesis 3:15 about Eve’s seed crushing the serpent. As evidence, he named his wife “Eve,” “the mother of all the living” (verse 20).

• Noah, the only one who revered God in his day, believed that God would protect him and his family in the ark (Genesis 6:13-22;Hebrews 11:7).

• Abraham believed in God’s promise of giving him descendants and a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3;15:5-6).

• David believed in God’s promise that his descendant would always remain on the throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16).