Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! 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.” 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.)

Not only is the phrase, “the righteousness of God.” used to denote God’s own righteousness (rather than a transferred status) but it is, for God and man alike, used as a synonym for faithfulness. Our unfaithfulness does not nullify the faithfulness of God and our unrighteousness shows the righteousness of God.

At the same time, if God is not unrighteous to inflict wrath, then he is righteous to do so. So the righteousness/faithfulness of God can involve inflicting punishment even though it can also be demonstrated in saving sinners (Romans 1.16, 17). These two aspect of righteousness are both satisfied in the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

But 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. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.