Romans 3:21

Romans 3:21

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

a. 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.

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

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

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets,

e. Worrell Translation: But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

f. Wuest Translation: But now, apart from law, God’s righteousness has been openly shown in view, having witness borne to it by the law and the prophets.

1. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…”

a. But [Strong: 1161. de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. now [Strong: 3570. nuni noo-nee' a prolonged form of 3568 for emphasis; just now:--now.]

c. the righteousness [Strong: 1343. dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]

d. of God [2316 * theos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly,  -ward).]

e. without [Strong: 5565. choris kho-rece' adverb from 5561; at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition):--beside, by itself, without.]

f. the law [Strong: 3551. nomos nom'-os from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.]

g. is manifested [Strong: 5319. phaneroo fan-er-o'-o from 5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively):--appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).]

2. “…being witnessed by the law…”

a. being witnessed [Strong: 3140. martureo mar-too-reh'-o from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.]

1). A principle under Old Testament law and carried into the New Testament is there must be two or three witnesses to bring a decision.

a). Deuteronomy 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

b). Isaiah 8:2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

c). Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

d). 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

b. by [Strong: 5259. hupo hoop-o' a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.]

c. the [Strong: 3588. ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

d. law [Strong: 3551. nomos nom'-os from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.]

1). The principal of righteousness by faith is clearly witnessed by the law.

a). Deuteronomy 30:11-14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

b). Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

2). This one verse in Habakkuk is quoted three times in the New Testament.

a). Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

b). Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

c) Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

3. “…and the prophets;”

a. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the [Strong: 3588. ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. prophets [Strong: 4396. prophetes prof-ay'-tace from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.]

1). We can see it witnessed in the life of Abraham, a prophet.

a). Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

b). Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.