Romans 3 21

Romans 3:21 kjv

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:21 nkjv

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Romans 3:21 niv

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

Romans 3:21 esv

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it ?

Romans 3:21 nlt

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.

Romans 3 verses

Romans 3 21 Meaning

Romans 3:21 declares that a new, divinely revealed righteousness from God has been manifested, distinct from reliance on the Mosaic Law for salvation. This righteousness is not earned by human effort or obedience to the Law but is graciously provided by God. Importantly, this very means of salvation was foreshadowed and attested to throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, specifically by the Law itself and the prophets, demonstrating a consistent divine plan across all of redemptive history.

Romans 3 21 Context

Romans 3:21 serves as a pivotal turning point in Paul’s epistle. It immediately follows his comprehensive indictment of both Gentiles and Jews (Rom 1:18-3:20), proving that all humanity is under sin and therefore stands condemned before a holy God, utterly incapable of achieving righteousness through obedience to the Mosaic Law. Verse 20 emphatically states that "by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight." Against this backdrop of universal human failure and the Law's inability to provide salvation, verse 21 introduces God's divine solution. Historically, the Jewish understanding often equated righteousness with meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul here directly challenges this human-centered approach, demonstrating that God's plan for righteousness always transcended and ultimately fulfilled the Law through Christ. The shift from "now" underscores that while the problem of sin is ancient, God's definitive remedy has been freshly and fully revealed in the present time through Christ.

Romans 3 21 Word analysis

• But now (Nuni de, νυνὶ δὲ): This phrase marks a dramatic and emphatic transition from Paul’s detailed indictment of humanity’s universal sinfulness and the Law’s inability to justify (Rom 1:18-3:20). It introduces God’s redemptive act, signaling a new era or a new understanding of God's work. It signifies a profound shift in salvation history—the revelation of God’s plan after the demonstration of humanity's dire need. It's not just a temporal marker, but a logical and theological pivot point.
• the righteousness (dikaiosynē, δικαιοσύνη): This Greek term carries deep theological weight. Here, it refers to the state of being right with God. It encompasses both God’s character as just and holy, and the right standing He imputes to believers. It is distinct from human, earned righteousness. It implies a legal standing before God that is perfect and acceptable, achieved through divine provision.
• of God (Theou, θεοῦ): This genitive can be interpreted as either righteousness that originates from God, righteousness that belongs to God, or righteousness that conforms to God’s perfect standard. In this context, it primarily emphasizes divine origin and divine approval. It signifies that this righteousness is not human-achieved but God-provided, highlighting His initiative in salvation.
• without the law (choris nomou, χωρὶς νόμου): This means "apart from" or "independent of" the Mosaic Law as a system for justification. It's a crucial distinction, clarifying that humanity's efforts to obey the Law cannot produce this righteousness. It directly refutes any claim that one must perform legalistic rituals or perfectly keep commandments to be righteous before God. It implies the Law's primary role was not to save but to reveal sin (Rom 3:20, Rom 7:7).
• is manifested (pephanerotai, πεφανέρωται): A perfect passive indicative verb, meaning "it has been revealed" or "made evident." The perfect tense signifies a completed action with ongoing results, indicating that this righteousness is not a new invention but has been clearly unveiled in the current era (in Christ), confirming its present reality and enduring effect. This divine unveiling makes clear what was previously hinted at or only partially understood.
• being witnessed (martyroumenē, μαρτυρουμένη): A present passive participle, meaning "being testified to" or "being borne witness to." This signifies that the truth of this righteousness is continually affirmed by established authorities. It emphasizes the continuity of God's plan through redemptive history.
• by the law and the prophets (tou nomou kai tōn prophētōn, τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν): This is a standard Jewish phrase referring to the entire body of Old Testament Scriptures. Paul asserts that this new revelation of righteousness is not an innovation or a departure from God’s original plan, but its fulfillment. The Old Testament, while not able to justify, always pointed to a future salvation, preparing the way and testifying to God's ultimate solution, thus upholding its divine inspiration and authority.

Romans 3 21 Bonus section

The concept of dikaiosynē Theou (righteousness of God) in this verse holds deep significance. It is not merely human righteousness that God approves, but a divine righteousness that originates from God, belonging to His very nature, and that He imputes to believers. It’s a gift that aligns humans with God's perfect justice. The phrase "without the law" does not devalue the Law, but rather clarifies its intended purpose. The Law exposes sin (Rom 7:7), shuts every mouth (Rom 3:19), and guides, but it does not, and cannot, grant righteousness. The perfect passive tense of "is manifested" (πεφανέρωται) emphasizes that God Himself is the active agent in this revelation, not human ingenuity. This truth brings hope where previously there was only condemnation, fundamentally redefining humanity's relationship with a holy God.

Romans 3 21 Commentary

Romans 3:21 presents a stark and glorious contrast to Paul’s preceding argument of universal sin and the Law's inability to save. "But now" introduces the solution: a righteousness of God that stands entirely apart from human efforts to keep the Law. This divinely-sourced righteousness, made manifest in the Person and work of Jesus Christ (as expanded in Rom 3:22-26), is God's gift, not humanity's achievement. This concept shatters the idea of earning salvation through works or heritage. Moreover, Paul's assertion that this divine way of righteousness is "witnessed by the Law and the Prophets" is crucial. It connects God's "new" method (revealed in Christ) with His eternal plan documented throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating a unified redemptive history where the Old Testament foreshadowed the New. It confirms that the Law, while revealing sin and guiding Israel, was always part of a larger plan leading to God's ultimate solution in Christ—justification by faith alone, apart from works. This divine design underscores God's sovereignty and His unchanging character in providing salvation as a matter of grace.