“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18 NET).
Our survey of this important passage continues with a look at this reference to “wrath.” A fresh perspective on this text may prove beneficial, for it is often easy to view the concept of “God’s wrath” through the lens of human anger.
For instance, God does not express His wrath in an uncontrolled eruption of rage like the furious response of a motorist to a roadway incident. Nor is the wrath of God emotionally unstable or erratic like some expressions of human anger. God’s wrath is also more than just a mere expression of annoyance or resentment. Instead, the wrath of God represents a justified response to the presence of ungodliness and unrighteousness.
One source offers a definition of the word “wrath” in the context of Romans 1:18…
“The New Testament word for ‘wrath’ is orge. It carries the meaning of ‘strong desire,’ ‘violent passion,’ and ‘ire’ (see Eph. 2:3; Col. 3:6; 1 Thess. 5:9; Rev. 6:16). As applied to God, wrath means His anger at and hatred of sin, His righteous indignation at all evil, and His jealous execution of judgment on unrighteousness. However, wrath, while rooted in God’s essential nature as just, is not an attribute, but an act that flows from His unchanging righteousness.” (1)
It may be easier to understand God’s wrath if we think back to His creative efforts as recorded in the Biblical book of Genesis. For example, God characterized His creation as “very good” prior to the introduction of sin into the world (Genesis 1:31). However, the advent of sin brought ungodliness, unrighteousness, and a host of other inappropriate attitudes and behaviors. As a result, God’s creation was no longer “very good.” If we could place ourselves in God’s position and reflect on how we might feel if others destroyed a creation of our own in that manner, we might find it easier to empathize with this response.
Finally, another commentary draws our attention to the legitimacy of God’s wrath…
“…we must remember that God’s anger is not without justification. As Paul says in Romans 1, God’s anger is directed against the unrighteousness and ungodliness of men. He is not becoming angry over nothing; He is not overreacting. He is not simply being touchy or flying off the handle for no real reason. Rather, He is responding to real evil.
Being holy in all His being, He cannot react any other way to evil—anger against sin is the proper response for Him. Therefore, God’s anger is known as righteous anger. Though He is patient and gracious, He does grow angry over implacable unrighteousness, and He is justified in doing so.” (2)
(1) Geisler, N. L. (2003). Systematic Theology: God/Creation. Bethany House Publishers. [p.397]
(2) God’s furious anger. (n.d.). https://tabletalkmagazine.com/daily-study/2003/06/gods-furious-anger-3/