Romans 3:21 (DRB)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law speaketh, it speaketh to them that are in the law: that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be made subject to God.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:21 But now, without the law, the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.

Romans 3:22 Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and do need the glory of God.

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "Because by the works of the law..." into verse 22's "Even the justice of God by faith...", so "without" and "justice" 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 "justice" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.