A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 3:21

"But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;" — Romans 3:21 (ASV)

But now apart from the law (νυν δε χωρις νομου). He now (νυν emphatic logical transition) proceeds carefully in verses 21-31 the

nature of the God-kind of righteousness which stands manifested (δικαιοσυνη θεου πεφανερωτα, perfect passive indicative of φανεροω, to make manifest), the

necessity of which he has shown in 1:18-3:20. This God kind of righteousness is "apart from law" of any kind and all of grace (χαριτ) as he will show in verse 24. But it is not a new discovery on the part of Paul, but "witnessed by the law and the prophets" (μαρτυρουμενη, present passive participle, υπο του νομου κα των προφητων), made plain continuously by God himself.