Romans 1:18-19 Wrath of God

In this passage, we move from the good news gospel of the righteousness of God imputed to the believer by faith, to the wrath of God against godless, wicked men... lucky me!

What is the wrath of God? And why does Paul transition to talking about it, right after the happy news of the gospel message? Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defines wrath this way:

"God's wrath, in scripture, is his holy and just indignation against sin."

It is also defined as: "violent anger, vehement exasperation, indignation." In order to fully appreciate the good news of the gospel, we must understand how much God hates the sin that has put mankind in a position of needing to be saved in the first place.

What sin, specifically, does Paul draw the reader's attention to in these verses? The sin is that of "wicked men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." The truth that is being suppressed or "stifled, stopped, restrained," is the truth of the existence of God as the creator, sustainer, and ruler of the world!

Verse 19 says, " Since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them." How has God made it plain? In our Central Valley, we have only to step outside and gaze at the snow-capped mountains, watch the busy bees pollinating the almond trees, or look at the spring flowers, the newly leafed out trees, a baby calf being born, to realize, without even looking to the Bible, or reasoning intellectually, that there is indeed a God who magnificently created the world we live in.

To suppress this or refuse to honor and fear God is indeed wicked, and a cause for His wrath to be revealed. Let's not be in that camp, the camp of those who are wicked and godless; rather, let's marvel at and honor the God who has made plain to us who He is!!!! For He indeed deserves it!!!

-Gina Bylsma