5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
A third objection here followeth, namely, “That if the unrighteousness of men, that is, both of Jews and Gentiles, tends so visibly to commend, that is, to illustrate and recommend the righteousness of God, namely, his wisdom, grace, and favour, in appointing this way of justification by faith in Christ; how can it be right in God to punish them for this unrighteousness, which tends so highly to illustrate the glory of his gospel-grace?” The apostle tells us, that in making this objection, he spake as a man, that is, as natural and carnal men are ready to think and speak: But, says he, God forbid that we should entertain such a thought, as if God either were, or could be unrighteous; for then how shall God judge the world, for their unrighteousness?
Learn hence, 1. That although the unrighteousness and wickedness of men be over-ruled by God, to subserve the purposes of his glory; yet is God just in punishing all unrighteousness and wickedness whatsoever. God is never intentionally but is sometimes accidentally glorified by the sin of man. Even though there was no greater act of hellish wickedness ever committed as the horrid act of crucifying Christ, nothing brought God greater glory than the death of his Son; yet God has unleashed his wrath, most justly, upon the Jewish people to the utmost, for committing that wickedness.
Learn, 2. That the righteous God neither does nor can do any iniquity or unrighteousness whatsoever; Is God unrighteous? How then shall God judge the world? God is the judge of all the world and cannot but do right; because the universality of his power puts him above all possibility of error in the exercise of his power. The very reason why God cannot exercise his power beyond the limits of justice is that his power is altogether unlimited; he can do whatsoever he will do and whatsoever he will do is for that reason just: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?