"A question has been raised on Rom. 4:5. "Does God justify the ungodly? And if so, is not Universalism true?" 
A little consideration of the subject of the argument is sufficient to solve this apparent difficulty.
It is an argument based upon the fact that all have sinned; that all are ungodly.
The subject is, justification by faith, not of works.
This kind of justification is for the ungodly alone; the righteous would not need it.
So Jesus said He came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance; the righteous would need no repentance. But the object or condition of this justification must not be lost sight of. It is not that the ungodly may remain ungodly, or be saved in their ungodliness, but that they may be saved from their sins, or be made the righteousness of God in Christ.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Matt. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:21." Joseph Waggoner
