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Paul's concept of dikaiosyne, which is generally translated by "righteousness" in the forensic sense of "righteousness before God," can also be interpreted to mean "acceptance by God" or "communion with God."

Correspondingly, sin for Paul is not wanting to accept the righteousness that comes from God as a gift, but wanting instead to achieve one's own righteousness. Because God has always already freely given communion with Godself, anyone who attempts to earn this communion by her- or himself is guilty of the sin of rejecting God's gift and insulting God the giver.

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