Romans 1:18-23

Romans 1.18-23 (The wrath of God)

The wrath of God might seem to be a very unpromising subject. Martin Luther found it terrifying. He was under conviction of sin without the knowledge of the Gospel way of salvation and the doctrine of God's holy wrath made him miserable. Try as he might in his strenuous religious endeavours, he could not remove the turbulent disturbances in his soul generated by the knowledge that God is angry with the wicked every day. Romans 1.16-17 held the key that he was glad to find.

A. The Wrath of God is real

Paul writes of, 'the wrath of God''. The Greek word indicates either violent passion or, alternatively, abhorrence or detestation including justifiable abhorrence implying necessary punishment as here.

B. The Wrath of God is revealed.

Paul affirms, 'the wrath of God is revealed.' The holiness of God requires no external stimulus for its manifestation. It is the outshining of his nature. In a perfect universe there was no sin to cause any manifestation of God's wrath. In a fallen world we must expect God's wrath against sin to be exhibited and that is exactly what we find.

C. The Wrath of God is righteous

Paul explains, 'the wrath of God is revealed from heaven.' It comes forth from his holy place, God's wrath is holy wrath. It is his righteous indignation against sin. It is no good sinners bewailing their troubles saying, Why is this happening to me? In this world we all suffer less than we deserve.

(i) They were willingly ignorant. (1.19-20).

(ii) They were negligent about holy things. (1.21).

(iii) They were proud.