Romans 3:21 - But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
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What does "Romans 3:21" mean?
Romans 3:21 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter to the Romans, laying the groundwork for his theology of salvation. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"But now..." This phrase signals a shift. Paul has just spent the previous sections of Romans (especially chapters 1-3) demonstrating that everyone – both Jews and Gentiles – is under the power of sin and unable to achieve righteousness through their own efforts, especially through adherence to the law. "But now" introduces a new and different approach to righteousness.
"...apart from the law..." This is crucial. It states that this righteousness doesn't depend on following the Mosaic Law (the Old Testament commandments and regulations). The law, while good in its intention to reveal sin, cannot make anyone righteous. It can only show us how we fall short.
"...a righteousness of God has been revealed..." This righteousness comes from God. It's not something we can earn or achieve on our own. It's a gift that God offers. The word "revealed" suggests that this was not previously fully understood or accessible in the same way. With the coming of Christ, God has made this righteousness known.
"...being testified by the law and the prophets..." This is important because it connects the new revelation to the old covenant. Paul is saying that this righteousness of God, though "apart from the law" in how it is obtained, is not a complete contradiction of the Old Testament. Rather, the Law and the Prophets pointed towards it. They contained hints, prophecies, and types that anticipated this way of being made right with God. This suggests that the Old Testament was not just about following rules, but about a deeper relationship with God.
In summary, Romans 3:21 means:
A way of being made righteous (justified) before God has now been revealed. This way doesn't depend on following the Law of Moses. Instead, it is a righteousness provided by God, and while it's different from how people traditionally understood righteousness, it's consistent with the underlying message and prophecies found in the Old Testament Law and the Prophets. This points directly to Jesus Christ as the source and means of this righteousness, as Paul will further explain in the following verses.
Key Implications:
Salvation by Grace: The verse introduces the concept of salvation as a gift from God, not something earned through works.
Centrality of Christ: While the verse itself doesn't explicitly mention Christ, the subsequent verses make it clear that this righteousness of God is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Continuity of Scripture: The Old Testament isn't discarded but is seen as pointing forward to the fulfillment in Christ.
Hope for Gentiles: This removes any inherent advantage of Jews and provides a pathway for Gentiles to be included in God's covenant.
This verse is a crucial bridge between the diagnosis of humanity's sinfulness and the solution offered through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that righteousness is not achieved through human effort but is a gift of God, foreshadowed in the Old Testament and made available through faith.
Romans 3:21 - But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
What does "Romans 3:21" mean?
Romans 3:21 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter to the Romans, laying the groundwork for his theology of salvation. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"But now..." This phrase signals a shift. Paul has just spent the previous sections of Romans (especially chapters 1-3) demonstrating that everyone – both Jews and Gentiles – is under the power of sin and unable to achieve righteousness through their own efforts, especially through adherence to the law. "But now" introduces a new and different approach to righteousness.
"...apart from the law..." This is crucial. It states that this righteousness doesn't depend on following the Mosaic Law (the Old Testament commandments and regulations). The law, while good in its intention to reveal sin, cannot make anyone righteous. It can only show us how we fall short.
"...a righteousness of God has been revealed..." This righteousness comes from God. It's not something we can earn or achieve on our own. It's a gift that God offers. The word "revealed" suggests that this was not previously fully understood or accessible in the same way. With the coming of Christ, God has made this righteousness known.
"...being testified by the law and the prophets..." This is important because it connects the new revelation to the old covenant. Paul is saying that this righteousness of God, though "apart from the law" in how it is obtained, is not a complete contradiction of the Old Testament. Rather, the Law and the Prophets pointed towards it. They contained hints, prophecies, and types that anticipated this way of being made right with God. This suggests that the Old Testament was not just about following rules, but about a deeper relationship with God.
In summary, Romans 3:21 means:
A way of being made righteous (justified) before God has now been revealed. This way doesn't depend on following the Law of Moses. Instead, it is a righteousness provided by God, and while it's different from how people traditionally understood righteousness, it's consistent with the underlying message and prophecies found in the Old Testament Law and the Prophets. This points directly to Jesus Christ as the source and means of this righteousness, as Paul will further explain in the following verses.
Key Implications:
Salvation by Grace: The verse introduces the concept of salvation as a gift from God, not something earned through works.
Centrality of Christ: While the verse itself doesn't explicitly mention Christ, the subsequent verses make it clear that this righteousness of God is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Continuity of Scripture: The Old Testament isn't discarded but is seen as pointing forward to the fulfillment in Christ.
Hope for Gentiles: This removes any inherent advantage of Jews and provides a pathway for Gentiles to be included in God's covenant.
This verse is a crucial bridge between the diagnosis of humanity's sinfulness and the solution offered through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that righteousness is not achieved through human effort but is a gift of God, foreshadowed in the Old Testament and made available through faith.