Jesus fulfills what the law pointed to but could never complete.

"But now..." marks a shift in history. After everything Paul has said about sin and the law, this phrase signals a turning point - not just in the letter of Romans, but in God's redemptive plan being fully revealed. Paul introduces a righteousness that is:

• Apart from the law (not achieved through it)
• Witnessed by the law and prophets (pointed to all along)

This means the Old Testament wasn't the solution- it was pointing to the solution. For generations, Israel related to God through:

• The law
• Sacrifices
• The temple system

All of it revealed God's holiness- but none of it could fully remove sin.

Now Paul says, God has made a way to be made right outside of that system. Through Jesus:

• Justice is satisfied (sin is fully dealt with)
• Mercy is extended (we are freely forgiven)

This is why Jesus is ventral. He fulfills what everything before Him pointed to but couldn't accomplish. 

Reflection ?: Where do you still feel like you need to "earn" your standing with God instead of receiving it?

Dig Deeper: What does it mean that this righteousness was "witnessed by the law and the prophets?" How does that change tghe way you see the Old Testament?