What does Romans 3:21 mean by 'But now the righteousness of God without the law'?
Romans 3:21 means the righteousness of God is now apart from the Judaic law system. The word 'but' marks a change: people are no longer under law as the way of salvation, because the law only condemns and cannot save. This verse plainly says righteousness is without law-keeping.
Les explains that the 'but' in Romans 3:21 signals a change or a flip side. Previously, under the Judaic system, they were to keep the law, and even with the appearance of the Messiah they were to believe he was the Christ and the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants, but it was still based on that law system. Paul says there is no justification by that, for the law is the knowledge of sin. Les teaches that the law does nothing but condemn; it has no power to save anyone. So 'the righteousness of God without the law' means God's righteousness is now apart from that Judaic law system—no longer under law, but under something totally different. He stresses that the verse is plain and understandable.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;