Bible Strands
Romans 3:21
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul to the Roman church, at the hinge of his argument: having just declared (v. 20) that no one is justified by works of law, he now introduces the alternative.
The words — χωρὶς (chōris, "apart from") marks a hard break, not a supplement; πεφανερωται (pephanerōtai, "has been revealed") is a perfect passive, indicating a completed, public unveiling.
The thread — The prophets' testimony to this righteousness is echoed in Acts 10:43; the contrast with law-based righteousness recurs in Philippians 3:9.
Why it lands — It removes the reader's ability to claim standing before God on the basis of performance; the only posture left is receiving what has already been revealed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Cross-references
- Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
- Jeremiah 33:16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
- Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Isaiah 51:8 For the moth will devour them like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations.”
- Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Galatians 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
- Isaiah 46:13 I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.
- Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
- Romans 10:3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.