What does the Bible mean by Righteousness? 2 kinds: Vertical righteousness: the perfect righteousness that we have before God. It is passively received and pure gift given to us on account of our faith in Jesus christ. This righteousness is Christ’s righteousness and it is not to be taken away from by anything we do or don’t do. Horizontal righteousness: It’s something that we actively do. It’s something we actively participate in for the good of our neighbor and it won’t take away from or add t