"But now...." What a turning point! Paul has stated two revelations of God in Romans 1: 16-18. In verse 16, the righteousness of God has been revealed. In verse 18, the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness. God will judge all of us according to truth, according to our deeds, and according to the Gospel (2:1-16). The Jew has no advantage over the Gentile. "There is none righteous, no not one (2:17-3:18). Paul's conclusion is that the law merely sets a standard that no one can reach (3:19-20). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23). God's hatred of sin demands justice. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." How does one become righteous in the court room of God?