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Selected Verse: Romans 3:21 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ro 3:21 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] now [3570] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] without [5565] the law [3551] is manifested [5319], being witnessed [3140] by [5259] the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396]; |
|
King James |
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
GOD'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ALIKE ADAPTED TO OUR NECESSITIES AND WORTHY OF HIMSELF. (Rom 3:21-26)
But now the righteousness of God--(See on Rom 1:17).
without the law--that is, a righteousness to which our obedience to the law contributes nothing whatever (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16).
is manifested, being witnessed--attested.
by the law and the prophets--the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus this justifying righteousness, though new, as only now fully disclosed, is an old righteousness, predicted and foreshadowed in the Old Testament. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But now - The apostle, having shown the entire failure of all attempts to be justified by the "Law," whether among Jews or Gentiles, proceeds to state fully the plan of justification by Jesus Christ in the gospel. To do this, was the main design of the Epistle, Rom 1:17. He makes, therefore, in the close of this chapter, an explicit statement of the nature of the doctrine; and in the following parts of the Epistle he fully proves it, and illustrates its effects.
The righteousness of God - God's plan of justifying people; see the note at Rom 1:17.
Without the law - In a way different from personal obedience to the Law. It does not mean that God abandoned his Law; or that Jesus Christ did not regard the Law, for he came to "magnify" it Isa 42:21; or that sinners after they are justified have no regard to the Law; but it means simply what the apostle had been endeavoring to show, that justification could not be accomplished by personal obedience to any law of Jew or Gentile, and that it must be accomplished in some other way.
Being witnessed - Being borne witness to. It was not a new doctrine; it was found in the Old Testament. The apostle makes this observation with special reference to the Jews. He does not declare any new thing, but that which was rally declared in their own sacred writings.
By the law - This expression here evidently denotes, as it did commonly among the Jews, the five books of Moses. And the apostle means to say that this doctrine was found in those books; not that it was in the Ten Commandments, or in the Law, strictly so called. It is not a part of "law" to declare justification except by strict and perfect obedience. That it was found "in" those books; the apostle shows by the case of Abraham; Rom. 4; see also his reasoning on Lev 18:5; Deu 30:12-14, in Rom 10:5-11; compare Exo 34:6-7.
And the prophets - Generally, the remainder of the Old Testament. The phrase "the Law and the prophets" comprehended the whole of the Old Testament; Mat 5:17; Mat 11:13; Mat 22:40; Act 13:15; Act 28:23. That this doctrine was contained in the prophets, the apostle showed by the passage quoted from Hab 2:4, in Rom 1:17, "The just shall live by faith." The same thing he showed in Rom 10:11, from Isa 28:16; Isa 49:23; Rom 4:6-8, from Psa 32:1-11. The same thing is fully taught in Isa 53:11; Dan 9:24. Indeed, the general tenor of the Old Testament - the appointment of sacrifices, etc. taught that man was a sinner, and that he could not be justified by obedience to the moral law. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
righteousness of God
The righteousness of God is neither an attribute of God, not the changed character of the believer, but Christ Himself, who fully met in our stead and behalf every demand of the law, and who is, but the act of God called imputation (Lev 25:50); (Jam 2:23); "made unto us . . righteousness" (Co1 1:30).
"The believer in Christ is now, by grace, shrouded under so complete and blessed a righteousness that the law from Mt. Sinai can find neither fault nor diminution therein. This is that which is called the righteousness of God by faith." -- Bunyan.
(Co2 5:21); (Rom 4:6); (Rom 10:4); (Phi 3:9); (Rom 3:26). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Now (νυνὶ)
Logical, not temporal. In this state of the case. Expressing the contrast between two relations - dependence on the law and non-dependence on the law.
Without the law
In a sphere different from that in which the law says "Do this and live."
Is manifested (πεφανέρωται)
Rev., hath been manifested, rendering the perfect tense more strictly. Hath been manifested and now lies open to view. See on Joh 21:1, and see on revelation, Rev 1:1 The word implies a previous hiding. See Mar 4:22; Col 1:26, Col 1:27.
Being witnessed (μαρτυρουμένη)
Borne witness to; attested. The present participle indicates that this testimony is now being borne by the Old Testament to the new dispensation. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
But now the righteousness of God - That is, the manner of becoming righteous which God hath appointed. Without the law - Without that previous obedience which the law requires; without reference to the law, or dependence on it. Is manifested - In the gospel. Being attested by the Law itself, and by the Prophets - By all the promises in the Old Testament. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
But now the righteousness of God - God's method of saving sinners is now shown, by the Gospel, to be through his own mere mercy, by Christ Jesus; without the law - without any right or claim which might result from obedience to the law; and is evidently that which was intended by God from the beginning; for it is witnessed by the law and the prophets - the rites and ceremonies of the one, and the preachings and predictions of the others, all bearing testimony to the great design of God, and to the absolute necessity there was for the sacrifice and salvation which God has provided. |
16 Knowing [1492] that [3754] a man [444] is [1344] not [3756] justified [1344] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551], but [3362] by [1223] the faith [4102] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], even [2532] we [2249] have believed [4100] in [1519] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], that [2443] we might be justified [1344] by [1537] the faith [4102] of Christ [5547], and [2532] not [3756] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551]: for [1360] by [1537] the works [2041] of the law [3551] shall [1344] no [3756] [3956] flesh [4561] be justified [1344].
28 Therefore [3767] we conclude [3049] that a man [444] is justified [1344] by faith [4102] without [5565] the deeds [2041] of the law [3551].
17 For [1063] therein [1722] [846] is [601] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] revealed [601] from [1537] faith [4102] to [1519] faith [4102]: as [2531] it is written [1125], [1161] The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].
21 But [1161] now [3570] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] without [5565] the law [3551] is manifested [5319], being witnessed [3140] by [5259] the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396];
22 Even [1161] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] which is by [1223] faith [4102] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] unto [1519] all [3956] and [2532] upon [1909] all [3956] them that believe [4100]: for [1063] there is [2076] no [3756] difference [1293]:
23 For [1063] all [3956] have sinned [264], and [2532] come short [5302] of the glory [1391] of God [2316];
24 Being justified [1344] freely [1432] by his [846] grace [5485] through [1223] the redemption [629] that is in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]:
25 Whom [3739] God [2316] hath set forth [4388] to be a propitiation [2435] through [1223] faith [4102] in [1722] his [846] blood [129], to [1519] declare [1732] his [846] righteousness [1343] for [1223] the remission [3929] of sins [265] that are past [4266], through [1722] the forbearance [463] of God [2316];
26 To [4314] declare [1732], I say, at [1722] this [3568] time [2540] his [846] righteousness [1343]: that [1519] he might be [1511] just [1342], and [2532] the justifier [1344] of him [846] which believeth [4102] in [1537] Jesus [2424].
24 Seventy [07657] weeks [07620] are determined [02852] upon thy people [05971] and upon thy holy [06944] city [05892], to finish [03607] the transgression [06588], and to make an end [08552] [02856] of sins [02403], and to make reconciliation [03722] for iniquity [05771], and to bring in [0935] everlasting [05769] righteousness [06664], and to seal up [02856] the vision [02377] and prophecy [05030], and to anoint [04886] the most [06944] Holy [06944].
11 He shall see [07200] of the travail [05999] of his soul [05315], and shall be satisfied [07646]: by his knowledge [01847] shall my righteous [06662] servant [05650] justify [06663] many [07227]; for he shall bear [05445] their iniquities [05771].
1 A Psalm of David [01732], Maschil [04905]. Blessed [0835] is he whose transgression [06588] is forgiven [05375], whose sin [02401] is covered [03680].
2 Blessed [0835] is the man [0120] unto whom the LORD [03068] imputeth [02803] not iniquity [05771], and in whose spirit [07307] there is no guile [07423].
3 When I kept silence [02790], my bones [06106] waxed old [01086] through my roaring [07581] all the day [03117] long.
4 For day [03119] and night [03915] thy hand [03027] was heavy [03513] upon me: my moisture [03955] is turned [02015] into the drought [02725] of summer [07019]. Selah [05542].
5 I acknowledged [03045] my sin [02403] unto thee, and mine iniquity [05771] have I not hid [03680]. I said [0559], I will confess [03034] my transgressions [06588] unto the LORD [03068]; and thou forgavest [05375] the iniquity [05771] of my sin [02403]. Selah [05542].
6 For this shall every one that is godly [02623] pray [06419] unto thee in a time [06256] when thou mayest be found [04672]: surely in the floods [07858] of great [07227] waters [04325] they shall not come nigh [05060] unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place [05643]; thou shalt preserve [05341] me from trouble [06862]; thou shalt compass [05437] me about with songs [07438] of deliverance [06405]. Selah [05542].
8 I will instruct [07919] thee and teach [03384] thee in the way [01870] which [02098] thou shalt go [03212]: I will guide [03289] thee with mine eye [05869].
9 Be ye not as the horse [05483], or as the mule [06505], which have no understanding [0995]: whose mouth [05716] must be held [01102] in with bit [04964] and bridle [07448], lest [01077] they come near [07126] unto thee.
10 Many [07227] sorrows [04341] shall be to the wicked [07563]: but he that trusteth [0982] in the LORD [03068], mercy [02617] shall compass [05437] him about.
11 Be glad [08055] in the LORD [03068], and rejoice [01523], ye righteous [06662]: and shout [07442] for joy, all ye that are upright [03477] in heart [03820].
6 Even as [2509] David [1138] also [2532] describeth [3004] the blessedness [3108] of the man [444], unto whom [3739] God [2316] imputeth [3049] righteousness [1343] without [5565] works [2041],
7 Saying, Blessed [3107] are they whose [3739] iniquities [458] are forgiven [863], and [2532] whose [3739] sins [266] are covered [1943].
8 Blessed [3107] is the man [435] to whom [3739] the Lord [2962] will [3049] not [3364] impute [3049] sin [266].
23 And kings [04428] shall be thy nursing fathers [0539], and their queens [08282] thy nursing mothers [03243]: they shall bow down [07812] to thee with their face [0639] toward the earth [0776], and lick up [03897] the dust [06083] of thy feet [07272]; and thou shalt know [03045] that I am the LORD [03068]: for they shall not be ashamed [0954] that wait [06960] for me.
16 Therefore thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069], Behold, I lay [03245] in Zion [06726] for a foundation a stone [068], a tried [0976] stone [068], a precious [03368] corner [06438] stone, a sure [03245] foundation [04143]: he that believeth [0539] shall not make haste [02363].
11 For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].
17 For [1063] therein [1722] [846] is [601] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] revealed [601] from [1537] faith [4102] to [1519] faith [4102]: as [2531] it is written [1125], [1161] The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].
4 Behold, his soul [05315] which is lifted up [06075] is not upright [03474] in him: but the just [06662] shall live [02421] by his faith [0530].
23 And [1161] when they had appointed [5021] him [846] a day [2250], there came [2240] many [4119] to [4314] him [846] into [1519] his lodging [3578]; to whom [3739] he expounded [1620] and testified [1263] the kingdom [932] of God [2316], [5037] persuading [3982] them [846] concerning [4012] Jesus [2424], both [5037] out of [575] the law [3551] of Moses [3475], and [2532] out of the prophets [4396], from [575] morning [4404] till [2193] evening [2073].
15 And [1161] after [3326] the reading [320] of the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396] the rulers of the synagogue [752] sent [649] unto [4314] them [846], saying [3004], Ye men [435] and brethren [80], if [1487] ye have [2076] [1722] [5213] any word [3056] of exhortation [3874] for [4314] the people [2992], say on [3004].
40 On [1722] these [5025] two [1417] commandments [1785] hang [2910] all [3650] the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396].
13 For [1063] all [3956] the prophets [4396] and [2532] the law [3551] prophesied [4395] until [2193] John [2491].
17 Think [3543] not [3361] that [3754] I am come [2064] to destroy [2647] the law [3551], or [2228] the prophets [4396]: I am [2064] not [3756] come [2064] to destroy [2647], but [235] to fulfil [4137].
6 And the LORD [03068] passed by [05674] before him [06440], and proclaimed [07121], The LORD [03068], The LORD [03068] God [0410], merciful [07349] and gracious [02587], longsuffering [0750] [0639], and abundant [07227] in goodness [02617] and truth [0571],
7 Keeping [05341] mercy [02617] for thousands [0505], forgiving [05375] iniquity [05771] and transgression [06588] and sin [02403], and that will by no means [05352] clear [05352] the guilty; visiting [06485] the iniquity [05771] of the fathers [01] upon the children [01121], and upon the children's [01121] children, unto the third [08029] and to the fourth [07256] generation.
5 For [1063] Moses [3475] describeth [1125] the righteousness [1343] which [3588] is of [1537] the law [3551], That [3754] the man [444] which doeth [4160] those things [846] shall live [2198] by [1722] them [846].
6 But [1161] the righteousness [1343] which is of [1537] faith [4102] speaketh [3004] on this wise [3779], Say [2036] not [3361] in [1722] thine [4675] heart [2588], Who [5101] shall ascend [305] into [1519] heaven [3772]? (that is [5123], to bring [2609] Christ [5547] down [2609] from above:)
7 Or [2228], Who [5101] shall descend [2597] into [1519] the deep [12]? (that is [5123], to bring up [321] Christ [5547] again [321] from [1537] the dead [3498].)
8 But [235] what [5101] saith it [3004]? The word [4487] is [2076] nigh [1451] thee [4675], even in [1722] thy [4675] mouth [4750], and [2532] in [1722] thy [4675] heart [2588]: that is [5123], the word [4487] of faith [4102], which [3739] we preach [2784];
9 That [3754] if [1437] thou shalt confess [3670] with [1722] thy [4675] mouth [4750] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424], and [2532] shalt believe [4100] in [1722] thine [4675] heart [2588] that [3754] God [2316] hath raised [1453] him [846] from [1537] the dead [3498], thou shalt be saved [4982].
10 For [1063] with the heart [2588] man believeth [4100] unto [1519] righteousness [1343]; and [1161] with the mouth [4750] confession is made [3670] unto [1519] salvation [4991].
11 For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].
12 It is not in heaven [08064], that thou shouldest say [0559], Who shall go up [05927] for us to heaven [08064], and bring [03947] it unto us, that we may hear [08085] it, and do [06213] it?
13 Neither is it beyond [05676] the sea [03220], that thou shouldest say [0559], Who shall go [05674] over [05676] the sea [03220] for us, and bring [03947] it unto us, that we may hear [08085] it, and do [06213] it?
14 But the word [01697] is very [03966] nigh [07138] unto thee, in thy mouth [06310], and in thy heart [03824], that thou mayest do [06213] it.
5 Ye shall therefore keep [08104] my statutes [02708], and my judgments [04941]: which [0834] if a man [0120] do [06213], he shall live [02425] in them: I am the LORD [03068].
21 The LORD [03068] is well pleased [02654] for his righteousness [06664]' sake; he will magnify [01431] the law [08451], and make it honourable [0142].
17 For [1063] therein [1722] [846] is [601] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] revealed [601] from [1537] faith [4102] to [1519] faith [4102]: as [2531] it is written [1125], [1161] The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].
17 For [1063] therein [1722] [846] is [601] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] revealed [601] from [1537] faith [4102] to [1519] faith [4102]: as [2531] it is written [1125], [1161] The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].
26 To [4314] declare [1732], I say, at [1722] this [3568] time [2540] his [846] righteousness [1343]: that [1519] he might be [1511] just [1342], and [2532] the justifier [1344] of him [846] which believeth [4102] in [1537] Jesus [2424].
9 And [2532] be found [2147] in [1722] him [846], not [3361] having [2192] mine own [1699] righteousness [1343], which [3588] is of [1537] the law [3551], but [235] that which [3588] is through [1223] the faith [4102] of Christ [5547], the righteousness [1343] which [3588] is of [1537] God [2316] by [1909] faith [4102]:
4 For [1063] Christ [5547] is the end [5056] of the law [3551] for [1519] righteousness [1343] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100].
6 Even as [2509] David [1138] also [2532] describeth [3004] the blessedness [3108] of the man [444], unto whom [3739] God [2316] imputeth [3049] righteousness [1343] without [5565] works [2041],
21 For [1063] he hath made [4160] him to be sin [266] for [5228] us [2257], who [3588] knew [1097] no [3361] sin [266]; that [2443] we [2249] might be made [1096] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] in [1722] him [846].
30 But [1161] of [1537] him [846] are [2075] ye [5210] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], who [3739] of [575] God [2316] is made [1096] unto us [2254] [5037] wisdom [4678], and righteousness [1343], and [2532] sanctification [38], and [2532] redemption [629]:
23 And [2532] the scripture [1124] was fulfilled [4137] which saith [3004], [1161] Abraham [11] believed [4100] God [2316], and [2532] it was imputed [3049] unto him [846] for [1519] righteousness [1343]: and [2532] he was called [2564] the Friend [5384] of God [2316].
50 And he shall reckon [02803] with him that bought [07069] him from the year [08141] that he was sold [04376] to him unto the year [08141] of jubile [03104]: and the price [03701] of his sale [04465] shall be according unto the number [04557] of years [08141], according to the time [03117] of an hired servant [07916] shall it be with him.
27 To whom [3739] God [2316] would [2309] make known [1107] what [5101] is the riches [4149] of the glory [1391] of this [5127] mystery [3466] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484]; which [3739] is [2076] Christ [5547] in [1722] you [5213], the hope [1680] of glory [1391]:
26 Even the mystery [3466] which [3588] hath been hid [613] from [575] ages [165] and [2532] from [575] generations [1074], but [1161] now [3570] is made manifest [5319] to his [846] saints [40]:
22 For [1063] there is [2076] nothing [3756] hid [2927] [5100], which [3739] shall [5319] not [3362] be manifested [5319]; neither [3761] was any thing kept [1096] secret [614], but [235] that [2443] it should come [2064] abroad [1519] [5318].
1 The Revelation [602] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], which [3739] God [2316] gave [1325] unto him [846], to shew [1166] unto his [846] servants [1401] things which [3739] must [1163] shortly [1722] [5034] come to pass [1096]; and [2532] he sent [649] and signified [4591] it by [1223] his [846] angel [32] unto his [846] servant [1401] John [2491]:
1 After [3326] these things [5023] Jesus [2424] shewed [5319] himself [1438] again [3825] to the disciples [3101] at [1909] the sea [2281] of Tiberias [5085]; and [1161] on this wise [3779] shewed [5319] he himself.