What do you think?
Rate this book
Two Kinds of Righteousness
“The instant a man knows that he is the righteousness of God in Christ, and knows what that righteousness means, Satan is defeated.” —E. W. Kenyon
In this classic Christian work, legendary Bible teacher E. W. Kenyon fully describes biblical righteousness. The church has been good at teaching about man’s need of righteousness, his weakness and his inability to please God. But far too many believers remain in that shameful state of sin condemnation because the church has neglected to proclaim who we are in Christ, that righteousness is not reserved for someday in heaven—it is available to us now! Unless you know who you are, and what you are in Christ, you cannot live a victorious life; Satan, sin, and disease will be your masters. Righteousness is the ability to stand in the presence of God without any sense of guilt or inferiority. If you live a life of weakness and defeat, it is because you do not know what you are in Christ. The supreme need of the church at this hour is to know who we are in Christ, to fully comprehend how the Father Himself looks upon us, and to walk in the knowledge that righteousness can be ours today.
In this classic Christian work, legendary Bible teacher E. W. Kenyon fully describes biblical righteousness. The church has been good at teaching about man’s need of righteousness, his weakness and his inability to please God. But far too many believers remain in that shameful state of sin condemnation because the church has neglected to proclaim who we are in Christ, that righteousness is not reserved for someday in heaven—it is available to us now! Unless you know who you are, and what you are in Christ, you cannot live a victorious life; Satan, sin, and disease will be your masters. Righteousness is the ability to stand in the presence of God without any sense of guilt or inferiority. If you live a life of weakness and defeat, it is because you do not know what you are in Christ. The supreme need of the church at this hour is to know who we are in Christ, to fully comprehend how the Father Himself looks upon us, and to walk in the knowledge that righteousness can be ours today.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2020
98 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 12, 2013
Really liked the book. The author made clear the gift of grace that Christ provided for us, and that because of that gift, we are now righteous in God's sight. We can't earn salvation or righteousness, but Christ earned it and gave it to us. We can't measure up by trying to keep the law. Jesus was the only one who fully kept the law. Because of the work Jesus has done, we can rest in Christ and let him live through us. Once we come to Christ, we no longer need a tutor (Law) to lead us to him. We are free from the old self, the sin nature. We are free from the law. We are a new creation in Christ and now live by love for God and for others.
December 5, 2016
great book
October 19, 2022
Understanding the concept of righteousness is another perfect addition to the infinitely long list of reasons why I am in love with Jesus. It is another element of the never-ending love story between God and man. That He would ensure that we could still come into His presence with confidence, as His sons and daughters whom He loves. We can come to Him without fear of judgment and we are blameless in His eyes thanks to the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank God for the blessing that is this book and the anointing on E.W. Kenyon. His message comes across with clarity, urgency, and passion. I am grateful for this work and excited for the opportunity to share it with others.
November 15, 2017
Kenyon has written a valuable contribution to the Church’s understanding of what has already been achieved by Christ’s work. He writes primarily for those believers who doubt their salvation and are struggling with ongoing sin and what he terms ‘weakness’. He shows rather that Christians have been united with Christ by faith and therefore are new creations, and the sin-nature no longer has power over the believer. In fact it does not exist at all for the Christian.
I enjoyed the pastoral tone of the book, but I did not appreciate the out-of-context references which more often than not left me saying ‘yes but...’ there are many of these in the book. The major problem is that Kenyon does not spend enough time doing careful exegesis of the passages he cites, meaning that even if he is correct in his conclusion, you are unsure how he got there.
Some points that I didn’t agree with were the fact that we have the authority of Jesus ( I’m unsure of what he actually means here); and seems to indicate that there should be no struggle with sin as a Christian, although he doesn’t claim this outright in this way. Further, we should not experience ‘weakness’ as Christians. Kenyon really cherry-picks his verses, not dealing with passages that seem to suggest the opposite of what he says (e.g. why was Paul told that God’s power was displayed in his weakness?). He does no careful exegesis at any point throughout the book and therefore does not make a convincing argument, even though I agree with a lot of what he says.
If you are a new Christian who has relatively little theological background, I would give this one a miss until you’ve done further reading.
I enjoyed the pastoral tone of the book, but I did not appreciate the out-of-context references which more often than not left me saying ‘yes but...’ there are many of these in the book. The major problem is that Kenyon does not spend enough time doing careful exegesis of the passages he cites, meaning that even if he is correct in his conclusion, you are unsure how he got there.
Some points that I didn’t agree with were the fact that we have the authority of Jesus ( I’m unsure of what he actually means here); and seems to indicate that there should be no struggle with sin as a Christian, although he doesn’t claim this outright in this way. Further, we should not experience ‘weakness’ as Christians. Kenyon really cherry-picks his verses, not dealing with passages that seem to suggest the opposite of what he says (e.g. why was Paul told that God’s power was displayed in his weakness?). He does no careful exegesis at any point throughout the book and therefore does not make a convincing argument, even though I agree with a lot of what he says.
If you are a new Christian who has relatively little theological background, I would give this one a miss until you’ve done further reading.
November 17, 2025
Identity. Freedom. Confidence. Sonship.
I am only midway through this book—currently at Chapter 5—yet it has already confronted one of the deepest gaps in my Christian understanding: I never truly knew what righteousness meant.
For years, I believed righteousness was something I had to earn, maintain, or prove through effort. I carried the weight of guilt, unworthiness, and the constant fear that God was disappointed in me. Even after salvation, I struggled, thinking my failures somehow changed my standing before God. But reading Kenyon has brought something astonishingly simple and profoundly liberating into focus:
Righteousness is the ability to stand before God without guilt, fear, or inferiority — because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Not because of my performance.
Not because of my spiritual progress.
Not because I “feel” righteous.
But because Christ completed, concluded, and sealed the work on my behalf. Kenyon makes this truth unavoidable:
My ignorance of righteousness never changed my status. My struggles never canceled what Christ accomplished. My weakness never reversed the verdict God has already declared.
This book is teaching me that righteousness is not something I grow into — it is something I already am in Christ. And for the first time, I can say with confidence: I know who I am now.
And I’m going to finish this book with a different heart than the one I started with.
If you are tired of living under condemnation… if you have never understood why the New Testament calls righteousness a gift… if you need your foundation rebuilt from the inside out… this book is not optional. It is essential. Kenyon doesn’t just teach doctrine; he restores identity.
I’m only halfway through, and it has already begun to transform the way I see God — and the way I see myself.
Highly recommended.
I am only midway through this book—currently at Chapter 5—yet it has already confronted one of the deepest gaps in my Christian understanding: I never truly knew what righteousness meant.
For years, I believed righteousness was something I had to earn, maintain, or prove through effort. I carried the weight of guilt, unworthiness, and the constant fear that God was disappointed in me. Even after salvation, I struggled, thinking my failures somehow changed my standing before God. But reading Kenyon has brought something astonishingly simple and profoundly liberating into focus:
Righteousness is the ability to stand before God without guilt, fear, or inferiority — because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Not because of my performance.
Not because of my spiritual progress.
Not because I “feel” righteous.
But because Christ completed, concluded, and sealed the work on my behalf. Kenyon makes this truth unavoidable:
My ignorance of righteousness never changed my status. My struggles never canceled what Christ accomplished. My weakness never reversed the verdict God has already declared.
This book is teaching me that righteousness is not something I grow into — it is something I already am in Christ. And for the first time, I can say with confidence: I know who I am now.
And I’m going to finish this book with a different heart than the one I started with.
If you are tired of living under condemnation… if you have never understood why the New Testament calls righteousness a gift… if you need your foundation rebuilt from the inside out… this book is not optional. It is essential. Kenyon doesn’t just teach doctrine; he restores identity.
I’m only halfway through, and it has already begun to transform the way I see God — and the way I see myself.
Highly recommended.
October 11, 2019
Really liked the book. The author made clear the gift of grace that Christ provided for us, and that because of that gift, we are now righteous in God's sight. We can't earn salvation or righteousness, but Christ earned it and gave it to us. We can't measure up by trying to keep the law. Jesus was the only one who fully kept the law. Because of the work Jesus has done, we can rest in Christ and let him live through us. Once we come to Christ, we no longer need a tutor (Law) to lead us to him. We are free from the old self, the sin nature. We are free from the law. We are a new creation in Christ and now live by love for God and for others.
December 27, 2024
I loved reading this book because of how clear and well-written it is. It's goal is to clarify what it means to be a child of God and how righteousness plays a role in how we should perceive ourselves as children of God and it hits the mark!
Reading this book helped me out a lot in my walk with Christ, and I hope it does the same for you!
Reading this book helped me out a lot in my walk with Christ, and I hope it does the same for you!
July 12, 2025
This book is definitely a huge perspective shifter of what most Christians think. We’re all sinners and aren’t worthy. This book flips that belief and tells you what the Bible really says about you as a Christian!
Great book to help you understand things in the Bible. I put it bluntly to not spoil anything. Definitely do read this book if you’re a learner and love the Bible.
Great book to help you understand things in the Bible. I put it bluntly to not spoil anything. Definitely do read this book if you’re a learner and love the Bible.
February 3, 2024
the gospel in one word - Righteousness
If you understand righteousness, you will understand all of the Gospel and the work of the cross. This book will change the way you see yourself. If you can see you the way God sees you, everything changes.
If you understand righteousness, you will understand all of the Gospel and the work of the cross. This book will change the way you see yourself. If you can see you the way God sees you, everything changes.
December 24, 2018
Deep staff.
April 24, 2019
A pure revelation of the believer's nature and inheritance in Christ.
January 10, 2020
This book changed my life!! Definite must read!
Read
July 24, 2020Give me ten questions on two kinds of righteousness?
June 24, 2024
E. W. Kenyon spells out in plain language what the church needs to, but does not! That is, that we have the righteousness of God when we place our faith in Christ. Kenyon rightly accuses the modern church of focusing on "sin consciousness" rather than "righteousness consciousness." Kenyon says that God doesn't see us the way we see ourselves. He sees us as He sees Christ Himself! As His very one Righteousness! Paul is yelling this at us in his own epistles. We only need to ask the Lord to open our eyes!
A close friend of mine, a year before he suddenly died, once showed me his phone and said, "Read this book. You'll never look at the Christian life the same way again."
He's with the Lord now. He gave me a great piece of advice which I am glad I took.
A close friend of mine, a year before he suddenly died, once showed me his phone and said, "Read this book. You'll never look at the Christian life the same way again."
He's with the Lord now. He gave me a great piece of advice which I am glad I took.
September 5, 2024
powerful book!
Where can I begin? This is a very good book. I will re-read it and suggest it to others. This is a must have in your library! i’m so glad I read this book!
Where can I begin? This is a very good book. I will re-read it and suggest it to others. This is a must have in your library! i’m so glad I read this book!
August 5, 2021
Excellent
Great teaching on the righteousness of Christ. Should be taught more in churches. There are some great nuggets to meditate upon.
Great teaching on the righteousness of Christ. Should be taught more in churches. There are some great nuggets to meditate upon.
July 6, 2017
It's been a little while since I've read this book but I really love his emphasis on we have received righteousness by faith and not of works. I also remember that I didn't agree with all of the theology in this book nor did I like His choice of words in certain passages. A person with a depraved mind and has itching ears could really take this teaching and twist it to mean something heretical; i.e. the latter rain and manifest sons of God movements.
October 9, 2013
This man has the experience to identify in-debt from his testimony I came to understand many did not approve of his writing. However I would not be one to quickly judge until I read it and let the Holy Spirit witness to me if what is says is true. I am inspired and know and understand through this where to draw the line and recognize the working of the flesh from the working of the spirit. Great writer and Man of God.
July 18, 2020
A veil remover
This book holds the keys to live the true Christian way, that is as Christ here on earth, living by His power and grace and for His glory. A book that must be read by all who are called by the Name of Jesus.
This book holds the keys to live the true Christian way, that is as Christ here on earth, living by His power and grace and for His glory. A book that must be read by all who are called by the Name of Jesus.
September 10, 2011
To see what I think of the author and those like him, read my blog post Heresies in the Church.
January 18, 2013
Awesome book. It truly lays out the necessary
April 10, 2015
Very good book! A must read.
June 14, 2016
One of EW Kenyon's best books a must read
June 22, 2019
Perfect
Absolutely brilliant way old expressing our lives in Christ! Righteousness that outshines the dreary wretched church existence Christians have been experiencing.
Absolutely brilliant way old expressing our lives in Christ! Righteousness that outshines the dreary wretched church existence Christians have been experiencing.
April 14, 2020
AWESOME
This book is life changing, helped me to see that GOD has MADE me Righteous through JESUS. Thank you for this on sight. Rachel Barron
This book is life changing, helped me to see that GOD has MADE me Righteous through JESUS. Thank you for this on sight. Rachel Barron
September 15, 2021
Truly a great book on righteousness. I love Kenyon. But you have to read it slowly and absorb it. Such really good truth to meditate on.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews