Romans 3:21

21 But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:21 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 3:21

But now the righteousness of God
The apostle having proved that all men are unrighteous, and that no man can be justified in the sight of God by his obedience, either to the law of nature or of Moses, proceeds to give an account of that righteousness, which does justify before God; and so returns to his former subject, ( Romans 1:17 ) , concerning "the righteousness of God", the revelation of which he makes to be peculiar to the Gospel, as he does here; since he says, that it

without the law is manifested:
meaning, either that this righteousness is without the law, and the deeds of it, as performed by sinful men; or that the manifestation of it is without the law, either of nature or of Moses; for the law discovers sin, but not a righteousness which justifies from sin; it shows what righteousness is, but does not direct the sinner where there is one to be had, that will make him righteous in the sight of God: this is made known without the law, and only in the Gospel:

being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
a testimony is borne to the justifying righteousness of Christ both "by the law", particularly in the five books of Moses; which testify of Christ, of his obedience, sufferings, and death, by which he brought in life and righteousness; see ( Genesis 3:15 ) , compared with ( Daniel 9:24 ) ; and ( Genesis 15:6 ) with ( Romans 4:9 Romans 4:10 Romans 4:22-25 ) ; and ( Genesis 22:18 ) with ( Galatians 3:8 Galatians 3:9 Galatians 3:14 ) ; and ( Deuteronomy 30:11-14 ) with ( Romans 10:5-10 ) . And the prophets; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and others; see ( Isaiah 42:21 ) ( Isaiah 45:24 Isaiah 45:25 ) ( Isaiah 46:12 Isaiah 46:13 ) ( Isaiah 51:5 Isaiah 51:6 Isaiah 51:8 ) ( 53:11 ) ( Jeremiah 23:6 ) ( Daniel 9:24 ) .

Romans 3:21 In-Context

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

20 because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin.

21 But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;

23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;