God's righteousness is manifested apart from the law, witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, and comes by faith of Jesus Christ upon all who believe.
Paul says the law only brings knowledge of sin and cannot justify anyone. Then Romans 3:21 shows God's righteousness manifested without the law. Les Feldick describes this as the flip side: the law condemns, but God's own righteousness is put in the spotlight and is received by faith.
Romans 3:20 — This verse establishes why the law cannot justify anyone and why a righteousness apart from the law is needed.
Romans 3:21 — This is the direct answer: the righteousness of God is manifested without the law, witnessed by the law and the prophets.
Romans 3:22 — It explains that this righteousness comes by faith of Jesus Christ and rests upon all who believe.
Romans 3:20 says, '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.' The law, then, is not the source of justification; it reveals sin. Romans 3:21-22 immediately announces: '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: for there is no difference.' Scripture's answer is clear: God's righteousness is manifested apart from the law and is received by faith of Jesus Christ.
Les Feldick stresses the 'but now' of Romans 3:21. He calls 'but' the flip side, noting that the law's only role was to condemn. But now, because Christ has died, paid the sin debt, been buried, raised, and ascended, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested. This is not human righteousness or law-keeping; it is the righteousness of God brought into the spotlight or laid out into the open. Les also teaches that this manifestation was still witnessed by the law and the prophets, so nothing in Scripture flies in the face of what went before. The Old Testament remains relevant. He concludes that this righteousness is not by law-keeping or by being religious, but by the faith of Jesus Christ 'unto all, and upon all them that believe' — believe, plus nothing.
Les Feldick calls the three-letter word 'but' the flip side. Under the law, everything could only condemn. But now, because Christ has died, paid the sin debt, been buried, raised, and ascended, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested. This is a whole different set of circumstances, not a continuation of law-keeping.
Yes. Paul says the manifestation is 'witnessed by the law and the prophets,' and Les emphasizes that nothing flies in the face of what came before. He points to Romans 15:4 to show that the Old Testament is still apropos and should not be thrown away. The law and prophets are the witnesses, not the source, of this righteousness.
Romans 3:22 says it is by faith of Jesus Christ 'unto all, and upon all them that believe.' Les says the difference is faith, not law-keeping or religious performance, and he repeatedly stresses 'believe, plus nothing.'
Romans 3:20 states that by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified, because the law brings the knowledge of sin. Les says the law has no power to save; it only shows that a man falls far short of what God requires. Keeping the commandments will not help at the great white throne.
The Law Provides No Help at the Great White Throne
Les states that the law only condemns a person and that keeping the commandments will not help anyone at the great white throne, so salvation must come another way.
The Flip Side: Righteousness Apart from Law
Les explains that 'but now' introduces a whole different set of circumstances: the righteousness of God without the law is put in the spotlight, witnessed by the law and prophets, and it comes by the faith of Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Witnessed by the Law and Prophets
Reading Romans 3:21-22, Les emphasizes that nothing flies in the face of earlier Scripture; the righteousness of God without the law is witnessed by the law and prophets and is by faith of Jesus Christ to all who believe, plus nothing.
Christ's Work Changes the Circumstances
Les says 'but now' is the flip side: under the law all was condemnation, but Christ has died, paid the sin debt, been buried, raised, and ascended, so the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.
Manifested and Old Testament Still Relevant
Les defines manifested as brought out into the light and laid open, and insists the Old Testament remains relevant, citing Romans 15:4 to show it is all still part of the Book.
The Law Gives Knowledge of Sin, Not Justification
Les shows the Old Testament covenantal system required law-keeping for that time, but Paul says by the law there is no justification; the law only gives knowledge of sin and has no power to save anyone.
Law Shows How Far Man Falls Short
Les describes the law as only able to show that a man falls far short of God's demands; then 'but now' is the flip side to the righteousness of God without the law.
Manifested Means Put in the Spotlight
Les says the manifestation of God's righteousness without the law is like putting it in the spotlight under a microscope, revealing truth that the law could not give.
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.
This verse shows why the law cannot justify anyone, setting up the 'but now' of verse 21.
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 verse that directly answers the question.
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 explains the means and recipients of this righteousness.
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 remains relevant and witnesses to the later revelation.
No. Paul says this manifestation is 'witnessed by the law and the prophets.' Les Feldick stresses that nothing in Scripture flies in the face of what went before, and points to Romans 15:4 to show the Old Testament is still relevant.
Les Feldick describes it as 'put in the spotlight' — brought out into the light and laid open. The righteousness of God is no longer hidden behind law-keeping but is clearly revealed.
By faith of Jesus Christ, 'unto all, and upon all them that believe.' Les says it is 'believe, plus nothing' — no law-keeping or religious performance added.
Watch the Teaching: The Righteousness of God Without the Law Explained