The Teachings of Jesus and
St Paul
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What is the meaning of justice?
The dictionary defines the word justice as meaning ‘just
behaviour or treatment; the quality of being fair and
reasonable’ (New Oxford English Dictionary).
Being just means taking into consideration the claims
of everyone involved.
Justice is often symbolized by an image
of a pair of evenly balanced scales.
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Justice in practice
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The teachings of Jesus and Paul
Justice means helping
people in need
regardless of who they
are or what they do.
It means
treating people
fairly and
showing them
love always.
Jesus
Justice means never
seeking revenge but
being peaceful and
defeating evil with good.
Paul
It means loving
others and not
treating people
differently,
because we are
all one in Jesus.
Are their teachings similar or different?
Explain your reasons.
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Christian teachings on justice in the Bible
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Jesus and justice
Women were not
allowed to mix with
men, or touch them
unless they were
married to them.
Tax collectors
were regarded as
thieves who stole
from the poor.
Jesus ignored what was regarded as ‘normal practice’
at the time. He mixed with women and tax
collectors.
Why do you think he did this?
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Jesus and the woman with the jar of perfume
Three days before his crucifixion, a woman anointed Jesus’
head with a jar of expensive perfume. The people who saw
this told her off saying that it was a waste of money which
could have been given to the poor. Jesus told them to leave
her alone since she was not bothering them. He said that
she had done a beautiful thing for him and that she would
be remembered for what she had done. The poor would
always be there and they could be helped at any time, but
Jesus would not be there forever. The perfume, he said,
was preparing his body for burial.
Jesus defends the woman, even though it is against
normal practice. She is honouring Jesus.
What does this show about justice?
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Jesus and Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, wanted to see Jesus so
he climbed a tree to get a good view. Jesus reached the
spot, looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down. I
must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once
and welcomed him. Everyone saw this and said, ‘He has
gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ But Zacchaeus replied,
‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to
the poor and, if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I
will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him,
‘Today salvation has come to this house.’
Jesus eats with a tax collector who decides to be fair
with his money. Jesus says he is saved.
What does this show about justice?
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How Jesus’ justice changed my life
Write a diary or news interview using the title above.
Use the story of Zacchaeus or the woman with the
perfume to answer the following:
!   What was unjust about things beforehand?
!   How did Jesus show the person justice?
!   How did the person feel about the experience?
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What would Jesus or Paul do?
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What does justice mean to Christians?
Christians believe that God is a just and gentle judge.
Because God deals justly with us, we should deal justly
with one another. For Christians justice is not solely to do
with human behaviour, it is part of what they look forward
to in the Kingdom of God.
Key idea: justice is important to God as it is an
essential part of salvation.
Justice to a Christian means:
!   helping others in need whoever they are
!   treating others fairly as we are all one in Christ
!   overcoming evil with good and showing love to all.
Write your own definition of Christian justice.
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