But in spite of having the scriptures, a great number of the Jews remained in unbelief, a tragic fact which greatly stirred the grief of the apostle, as we will find in the 9th chapter.  But the fact that they did not believe, Paul says, does nothing to undermine the usefulness of the scriptures, or the veracity of God.  His promises will not become vain, simply because men in their stony-hearted condition refused to bend the knee before His truth.

In verse 4, the apostle refers back to Psalm 51:4, where David speaks of his desire to justify God in His dealings and judgments.  Nothing, the apostle seems to be saying, can be said against God’s justice in His dealings with Israel.  His promises are not being undermined, His word made of none effect, or His purposes thwarted.  Israel’s unbelief was not a stumblingblock to His purposes, nor an accident of history that forced Him to devise an alternate plan.  God’s word is true, though all men be liars.  The unbelief of the Jews may perhaps exclude them from the favors they should have enjoyed, and make the promises of God of no benefit to them, but God will see to it that those promises are not made null and void.