The Righteousness of God

Excerpt

Paul said God’s righteousness is (being) revealed (ἀποκαλύπτεται, present tense). Here he says, God’s righteousness has been manifested (πεφανέρωται, perfect tense). There is little difference. The present tense emphasizes the continuation of the process in the proclamation of the Gospel, the perfect the fact that the process has a beginning. It will shortly appear that this beginning is to be found in the death of Jesus.

This manifestation of righteousness takes place apart from the law; not because the righteousness of God could not be manifested through the law, but because the righteousness which, when manifested through the law, could only lead to wrath, since the law was abused (cf. 4:15), has now been manifested in a different way so as to lead to justification. It is because the law has been defined out of the manifestation and faith (v. 22) defined in, that in this paragraph (contrast 1:18) we hear nothing of wrath. More

Barrett, C. K. The Epistle to the Romans. Rev. ed. London: Continuum, 1991. Print. Black’s New Testament Commentary.