The words “but now” are found in many places in the Bible, but most often in the Epistles of Paul. These two words are deeply significant, for they indicate a change in program. Paul used the words “but now” to note the contrast of men living under the demands of the Law versus living by faith in Christ alone. If my secretary is transcribing some dictation and I say: “But now I would like you to take a letter,” this indicates a change in program.

So we find “but now” here in Rom. 3:21:

Two of the smallest words in the Bible actually carry great impact upon how we understand Scripture. These two words are "but now," meaning something has changed from a former state.

The Bible is the world's most marvelous book, all because it is God's book. It is wonderful that God wrote a book, even more so that He has preserved it intact through history and even has provided for it to be translated into the languages of the nations. We have His word, preserved for us and translated into our language so that we can hold it in our hands, read it and see for ourselves just what God has said. This is all a marvelous blessing! But thee is more.