1:17 “Righteousness” is blamelessness before God. Contrary to the widely held view that righteousness is a human achievement, Paul’s position is that righteousness is a gift that can’t be earned. God declares guilty sinners righteous and so puts them in right relationship with Himself. Those who respond to God’s gracious offer to be made right with Him receive the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit’s power those who have been declared righteous are in the process of being transformed into the image of Christ (8:29).
Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1680). Holman Bible Publishers.