Romans 3:21 (DBY)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.

Romans 3:20 Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law [is] knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:21 But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:22 righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference;

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "without", "righteousness", "manifested", "borne", "witness", and "prophets". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "without" and "righteousness", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "Wherefore by works of law no flesh..." into verse 22's "righteousness of God by faith of Jesus...", so "without" and "righteousness" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "without" and "righteousness" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.