The Manifested Righteousness of God Romans 3:21

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God”, and he added, “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.” In chapter three and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul shared about how, “the righteousness of God without the law is manifested” where we read:

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,

being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

The verse begins, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, ...” Paul began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “now” or “at this present time and moment” “the righteousness” which means “the state of him who is as he ought to be and the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “without the law” or “not having the rule producing a state approved of God” “is manifested” which means “made visible or known what has been hidden or unknown whether by words, deeds or in any other way” . Paul shared how “God's approved state” is “revealed” without having the “law” of God.

The verse continues, “... being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” Paul added the words, “being witnessed” which refers to “affirmed that one has seen, heard or experienced” “by the law” or “through the rule producing a state approved of God” “and the prophets” which means “and the men filled with the Spirit of God who by God's authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men”. Paul shared how the “law and the prophets” produced testimony of this way of “righteousness” without “the law”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how God's “right way of living” was shown through His “law” and His “prophets” even when a person never had the “advantage” of “holding, owning or possessing” God's “law”. This way was shown through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and whether a person or nation had the written “law or God” or not, having Jesus as “Savior and Lord” fulfilled God's requirement for “righteousness”. (See John 14:6) Because the entire world was “guilty” before God whether they had His “law” or not, only Jesus could provide a way to be “right” before Him. Now all that is necessary to be “righteous” before God is to have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus, and everyone who “believes and trusts” in Him, shall be saved. “To God be the Glory!” Great Things He has done!

Next time Paul shares with the people in Rome about,“the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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