Galatians 5:5

-For weon the contrary, we who are Christ's, through the Spirit are waiting for the hope of righteousness from faith". The connecting particle -for" has reference to the falling from grace. The gospel is a gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). The Spirit is the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). We have a good hope through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Righteousness (justification) is of faith that it might be by grace (Romans 4:16).

the hope of righteousness This does not mean the righteousness hoped for. We who believe are nowperfectly righteous, -being made", as the Apostle says, -the righteousness of God in Him". It mayrefer to that sanctifying righteousness which is progressive, -inherent in us but not perfect" (as Hooker says), the perfection of which is the aim and end of our earthly discipline. Luther understands the expression to refer either to the hope of a full assurance of justifying faith, or to the hope of complete deliverance from sin. Writing out of the fulness of his own spiritual experience he adds: -Either sense may well stand; but the first, touching the inward desire and affection of hoping, bringeth more plentiful consolation, for my righteousness is not yet perfect, it cannot yet be felt: yet I do not despair; for faith sheweth unto me Christ, in whom I trust, and when I have laid hold of Him by faith, I wrestle against the fiery darts of the devil, and I take a good heart through hope against the feeling of sin, assuring myself that I have a perfect righteousness prepared for me in heaven. So both these sayings are true; that I am made righteous already by that righteousness which is begun in me; and also I am raised up in the same hope against sin, and wait for the full consummation of perfect righteousness in heaven. These things are not rightly understood, but when they be put in practice". But it is better to understand it of that object of hope which belongs to and arises out of our justification. By the faith which appropriates the righteousness of Christ we become sons of God and heirsof His everlasting kingdom. The inheritance is -that blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).