What does Romans 3:21 teach about the relationship between law and grace? Setting the Scene Romans 1–3 builds an airtight case: every human being—Jew and Gentile alike—stands guilty before a holy God. After 3:20 declares, “Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law,” 3:21 bursts in with hope. The Key Verse “ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.” (Romans 3:21) What “But Now” Signals • A decisive shift in redemptive history • God’s intervention when human effort hit a dead end • A contrast between the old era of condemnation and the new era of revealed righteousness “Apart from the Law” — What It Does Not Mean • Not the abolition of the Law’s moral authority (cf. Matthew 5:17) • Not an excuse for lawlessness (cf. Romans 6:1-2) • Rather, it means righteousness is not acquired by law-keeping Law’s True Function • Exposes sin (Romans 3:20) • Silences self-justification (Romans 3:19) • Serves as a tutor leading to Christ (Galatians 3:24) Grace Steps In • Righteousness is “revealed” (passive verb—God does the revealing) • It is God’s own righteousness, credited to believers (Romans 3:22) • Received “through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22) Witnessed by the Law and the Prophets • The Law foretold substitutionary sacrifice—see Passover lamb (Exodus 12), Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) • The Prophets promised a righteous Servant bearing sin—Isaiah 53:5-6 • Grace is not a Plan B; it was embedded in Scripture all along Harmony Between Law and Grace 1. Law: Reveals the standard → proves our inability 2. Grace: Provides the righteousness the Law demanded → fulfills the standard in Christ 3. Outcome: “The requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:3-4) Supporting Passages • John 1:17 — “The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” • Ephesians 2:8-9 — Salvation is “not of works, so that no one may boast.” • Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by works of righteousness we had done, but according to His mercy.” Living It Out • Rest from striving: accept the righteousness God freely offers. • Revere the Law: let it continually remind you why grace is essential. • Reflect Christ’s righteousness: empowered by the Spirit, live out the moral beauty the Law once commanded but could not supply. |
    |