A rule of thumb can be that when these terms appear in a context of social distribution or social conflict, 'justice' would be a better translation. Justice is founded in the being of God, for whom it is a chief attribute. It thus provides vindication, deliverance, and creation of community in addition to retribution . Need is the criterion for distributing benefits although the provisions do not exclude ability as a criterion once this priority is met. Justice is associated with the basic requirements of life in community.
Basic needs are basic rights.
Such redress will not be to the advantage of everyone in the community. It occurs primarily in Romans, where he treats the inclusion of the Gentiles in the new order of redemption. By justice, God brings into community the Gentiles, who previously had no rights in the commonwealth of Israel. Bibliography Mott, Stephen Charles. Biblical Ethics and Social Change.