Romans 3:21 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that 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 "righteousness", "without", "manifested", "witnessed", and "prophets". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "righteousness" and "without", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "Therefore by the deeds of the law..." into verse 22's "Even the righteousness of God which is...", so "righteousness" and "without" 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 "righteousness" and "without" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.