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Romans 1:18–32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men … (v. 18a).
As we looked last week at the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail, we saw David consumed with white-hot fury because of Nabal’s insult. Without a doubt, this was not one of David’s finest moments. But as we also saw, God intervened before David’s anger drove him to take vengeance upon Nabal. Therefore, it is possible to argue that David committed no sin in his anger. As this incident makes clear, the emotion of anger is difficult to understand and judge. For that reason, and because every one of us can identify with David’s rage, we will pause from our studies in 1 Samuel this week to explore issues surrounding the topic of anger. We will use Dr. R.C. Sproul’s audio teaching series Anger as our guide.
A biblical understanding of human anger must begin with a study of the Biblical view of the anger of God. The Bible is clear that God does indeed experience anger. We find vivid expressions of divine wrath throughout the Scriptures, and in the New Testament, the words wrath and anger with respect to God occur more often than references to His love or mercy. And His anger, when it occurs, is strong. The Greek word translated as “wrath” in Romans 1:18 is orge: It has to do with strong passion. In the Greek culture, certain cult practices involved uninhibited drunkenness and sexual activity. The idea was to dull the senses and become uninhibited so as to experience a spiritual ecstasy. Such events became known as orgies because strong passions were unleashed there. Similarly, God’s wrath is passionate. It is not mild irritation or annoyance. When the Bible speaks of God’s wrath, it is referring to vehement anger.
However, 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.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
There is a growing trend in theology to deny the wrath of God, and even evangelicals prefer to speak only about His love. But we must not dismiss the Scriptural teaching on God’s abhorrence of sin. Read through the verses below today, then take time to thank and praise God that He always reacts to sin with righteous and holy wrath.
For Further Study
- 2 Chron. 30:8
- Ezra 5:12
- Jer. 10:10
- John 3:36