The righteousness of God is manifested without the law, but the law cannot save or justify anyone; it only condemns and bears witness to God's righteousness.
Romans 3:21 says the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and prophets. Les Feldick teaches this righteousness comes by faith of Jesus Christ to all who believe, not by law-keeping. The law stops every mouth and makes the whole world guilty; it has no power to save.
Romans 3:21 — This verse directly answers the question: the righteousness of God is revealed apart from the law, but the law and prophets witness to it.
Romans 3:22 — It defines how that righteousness is received—by faith of Jesus Christ upon all who believe, not by keeping the law.
Romans 3:19 says the law speaks to those who are under the law: "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Romans 3:20 continues, "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 3:21-22 then presents the contrast: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe." Scripture also points to the ongoing value of the Old Testament. Romans 15:4 says the things written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Les Feldick teaches that the law was never intended to save anyone. It was given to those under the law, yet its moral reach extends to every human being—not to save, but to condemn and stop every mouth. The law has no power to save; it only gives the knowledge of sin. God's righteousness, on the other hand, is imputed to the believer the moment he believes. It is none of ours and all of His. According to Romans 3:21-22, this righteousness is manifested without the law, yet it is witnessed by the law and the prophets. It is not by law-keeping or religion, but by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. Les also stresses that the Old Testament remains vital. He says believers should not throw it away; it is still apropos and dovetails with the New. The law in its original purity was perfect, holy, and righteous, but its righteousness is fulfilled in believers who are in Christ—not by going back under the law.
The Bible says by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified, and by the law is the knowledge of sin. Les Feldick teaches the law's role was never to save, not even a Jew. It was given to condemn, to stop every mouth, and to make the world guilty before God. The law does absolutely nothing but condemn; there is no power in it to save anybody.
Romans 3:21 says the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Les Feldick says this shows that nothing in Scripture flies in the face of what went before. The Old Testament is still apropos and dovetails with the New. Believers should not forget the Old Testament; it all fits together in God's unfolding Word.
Les Feldick teaches that the law as God first gave it was perfect, holy, and righteous. But that righteousness is not attained by human effort. Instead, it is fulfilled in believers who are in Christ by believing the Gospel. The imputed righteousness of God is given to our account the moment we believe—none of ours, all of His.
The Law Condemns All Flesh
Les shows from Romans 3:19 that the law reaches every human being—not to save but to condemn—so that every mouth is stopped and the whole world is guilty.
Righteousness Without the Law Manifested
Les emphasizes Romans 3:21-22: God's righteousness is manifested apart from law-keeping, yet witnessed by the law and prophets, and comes by faith of Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Law Has No Power to Save
Les teaches the law does absolutely nothing but condemn; it gives knowledge of sin and has no power to save anybody.
Old Testament Still Apropos
Les points to Romans 15:4 to show the Old Testament is not to be discarded; it is still relevant to believers.
Believe Plus Nothing
Les repeats Romans 3:21-22 to show God's righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ, upon all who believe plus nothing.
Law's Righteousness Fulfilled in Believers
Les teaches the original law was perfect, holy, and righteous, but its righteousness is fulfilled in believers in Christ, not by returning under the law.
Old and New Dovetail Together
Les stresses the righteousness of God without the law is manifested and that the Old Testament dovetails with the New; we should not forget the rest of Scripture.
All Have Sinned; Justified Freely by Grace
Les connects Romans 3:21-24, showing the righteousness of God by faith in Christ applies to all believers, for all have sinned and are justified freely by His grace.
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.
This verse establishes that the law reaches even those under it and makes the whole world guilty.
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.
Scripture says the law cannot justify; its purpose 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;
This is the key verse: God's righteousness is revealed apart from the law, yet the law and prophets testify to it.
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:
It shows the righteousness of God comes by faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This supports the truth that everyone needs God's righteousness because all have sinned.
Romans 15:4: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Les uses this verse to show the Old Testament is still important and not to be discarded.
Romans 8:4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This is the passage Les references to show the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in believers in Christ.
No. Les Feldick teaches the law was never intended to save anyone, not even a Jew. It stops every mouth, makes the world guilty before God, and gives the knowledge of sin. The law has no power to save or justify anyone.
No. Romans 3:21 shows the righteousness of God is manifested without the law, though it is witnessed by the law and prophets. It comes by faith of Jesus Christ upon all who believe, not by law-keeping.
He says the Old Testament is still apropos and dovetails with the New. The righteousness of God is witnessed by the law and prophets, and Romans 15:4 says the things written aforetime were written for our learning.
Watch the Teaching: God's Righteousness Explained — Romans 3 Verse by Verse