Romans 1:18, God’s Wrath Against Ungodliness

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Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

The Apostle Paul begins this first theme on sin from verse 18 of chapter 1 to verse 20 of chapter 3. He will now show us why men is under condemnation and ready for God’s judgement which is eternal judgement in hell fire.

That is the reason why men need the gospel because they are under God’s wrath for their sin. Because God is infinitely holy, He hates sin. This word “wrath” describes an outpouring of extreme anger, the strongest rendering of indignation. Our text speaks of a deliberateness in the heart of men to rebel against God. And the revelation that God judges us after our sins by His great anger must cause men to fear and repent of their sins.

Ungodliness literally means without or lack of reverence or worship toward the living and true God. It describes an attitude of man’s heart that is in open rebellion against God. And unrighteousness literally means without what is right, falling short of God’s perfect standard.

It is interesting how the ancient Chinese knew this truth of the gospel and recorded for us vividly in the Chinese character for “righteousness”. It shows how sinful man can make right with the living and true God. This is the Chinese character for righteousness pronounced “Yi” is given below:-

Righteousness

Me        +          Lamb   =     Righteousness

The top radical is a lamb or sheep. And the bottom radical is “I” or “me”. The Lamb of God covers me giving to me this “righteousness”. It pre-figures the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world (John 3:16-17). Jesus Christ was born into human history more than 2000 years ago, lived a perfect life, died on the cross as man’s substitute to reconcile man with the living and true God. Jesus rose from the dead the third day victorious over sin and death. Jesus gives to every man who would believe in Him eternal life.

This is the reason why Apostle Paul spared no effort, working round the clock, to preach the gospel that God’s wrath may be averted when men by faith, puts on the righteousness of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This is the only remedy for sin to avert God’s wrath when men put on the righteousness of God’s Son.

May God use you to be His instrument to share the gospel with someone today. Amen.