What Does Romans 3:21 Mean in the King James?
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
God’s alignment appears apart from law, yet the law and prophets themselves bear witness to it.
THE MEANING
God’s alignment is present beyond law as its source, while instruction and prophetic witness attest to it. What appears apart from law is still held within the testimony of scripture.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that alignment must be produced by compliance with law, or that what appears apart from law has no scriptural witness.
THE ROOT
δικαιοσύνη
dikaiosynē
GROWS FROM
δικ
dik
Rightness or justice; being in the right.
“righteousness” in this verse is dikaiosynē. This word opens beyond a moral score into alignment: being set in the right. The verse says that alignment is made visible apart from law, while the law and prophets testify to it.
ALSO GROWS
dikaios: just, right
δίκαιος
The related adjective describes the person or thing marked by rightness.
dikaioō: justify, declare right
δικαιόω
The related verb shows this word family can name the recognition of someone as aligned.
μαρτυρουμένη
martyroumenē
GROWS FROM
μαρτυρ
martyr
Witness or testimony.
“witnessed” in this verse is martyroumenē. The verse’s witness language makes the law and prophets attest to the alignment appearing here; they are testimony to it. The Greek word belongs to the same family as the words for a witness and testimony.
ALSO GROWS
martys: witness
μάρτυς
The related noun names one who gives testimony, clarifying the role of the law and prophets in this verse.
martyria: testimony, witness
μαρτυρία
The related noun makes explicit that what is being offered is testimony about the alignment.
THE PATTERN
Scripture bears witness to alignment received through trust across the story, rather than treating law as its source.
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.THE THREAD
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.The Greek word translated “righteousness” shares the δικ root with the word in this verse. Romans 4:3 shows the alignment named here being counted through trust, while scripture bears witness to it.
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