Devine Scripture

Romans 3:21

What does Romans 3:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 3:21 means

Here is the great pivot: now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the law, yet in full harmony with the testimony of the law and the prophets. This righteousness is not a standard we climb to, but a gift God discloses and provides. It stands outside our performance while fulfilling what the Scriptures anticipated. The contrast is not between law and lawlessness, but between law as a means of justification and God’s gracious provision in Christ. The verse announces that a new era has dawned in redemptive history: the saving righteousness of God is manifest, accessible by faith rather than by works.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now without the law there is a revelation of the righteousness of God, to which witness is given by the law and the prophets;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But now, without the law, the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But now without law righteousness ofGod is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;

Context

After stating that the law brings knowledge of sin and cannot justify (verses 19–20), Paul turns to the positive revelation: a righteousness from God, apart from the law, yet witnessed by it. Verse 21 introduces the theme that the next verses unpack. Verse 22 will identify the means—faith in Jesus Christ—and assert its universality. Verse 23 will restate humanity’s universal sin, and verse 24 will describe justification as a free gift by grace through redemption in Christ. Verses 25–26 will explain how God can be both just and the justifier through Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice. The chapter will then draw out implications for boasting and the law (verses 27–31).

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

v.21This passage

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

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 1:17

    For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

  • 2 Peter 1:1

    Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

  • Romans 5:19

    For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.

  • Galatians 3:8

    And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.

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