"Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God."
This was their prime privilege, that they were God's library-keepers, that this heavenly treasure was given to them.
"3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means!"
The fact that the Jewish people as a whole to that point had rejected the gospel did not mean that God's faithfulness to them was in vain. It did not mean that God's work was futile or without effect.
"Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you are judged.”"
If God says one thing, and every man in the world says another, God is true, and all men are false. God speaks the truth, and cannot lie. God cannot change; his word, like himself, is immutable. We are to believe God's truth if nobody else believes it. The general consensus of opinion is nothing to a Christian. He believes God's word, and he thinks more of that than of the universal opinion of men. (Spurgeon)
"5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)"
It is true that God will use even the unrighteousness of man to accomplish His work and bring praise to His name - Judas' betrayal of Jesus is a perfect example. Nevertheless, part of the way God glorifies Himself in man's sin is by righteously judging that unrighteousness.
Dear God, even though it illuminates my sinfulness I glorify your righteousness!!!
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