What does it mean that for Luther justification was the action of the Word of God?

[Austin]

Luther defined justification, the justification of the sinner, as “the action of the Word of God.”

To justify meant to make righteous, and to “to make righteous” meant “to make the human creature, the sinner capable of doing righteous deeds.

Justification is the action word of God.

Medieval views of “making righteous”: focus on human deeds of rightousness

Luther: God bestows righteousness in His Word

1. Justification as pronouncement of innocence. God the righteous judge brings before Him the guilty sinner, and excercises His righteousness not by condemning but by pronouncing the sinner innocent. Our existence rests upon the speaking of God. God says, “You are righteous,” to the sinner, the sinner is righteous.

2. Justification as the justice of death done to the sinner, wit subsequent gift of new life in Christ.

3. Alien righteousness of Christ the reality of the justified sinner’s existence. Action flows from the Word of God.