According to R. C. Sproul these are two of the most important words in Scripture. This I found out as I listened to his study of Romans on tape as I was walking on my treadmill. For 3-1/2 Chapters Paul comes down on all the unrighteousness of men--Jew and Gentile. Paul speaks about the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all that unrighteousness displayed by men. Paul shows how clearly God has revealed Himself to man and man became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. So God gave them up to their impurities, lusts, lies, and worship of created things and not the Creator. God gave them up to a debased mind to be filled with all manner of unrighteousness.
Paul goes on to show that the Jews will not be saved by the Law because they are not able to keep the Law perfectly which is God's requirement of justification. Their circumcision becomes uncircumcision. The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of them.
Paul finishes his condemnation in Chapter 3:9-20 with the fact that all have sinned, both Jew and Gentile. No one does good, not even one. The whole world is held accountable to God. Then in verse 21 Paul makes his 180 degree turn.
"But now..." Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe! For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Now that is GOOD NEWS! And I agree with Sproul, "But now..." are two of the most important words in Scripture.
