Romans 1:18

For. Here the main argument of the epistle begins. Paul first seeks to show that all men, Gentiles and Jews alike, need the righteousness that is revealed in the gospel. For all men are sinners and therefore exposed to the wrath of God, whether Gentiles (ch. 1:13—32) or Jews (chs. 2:1 to 3:20).

The wrath of God. That is, the divine displeasure against sin, resulting ultimately in the abandonment of man to the judgment of death (see Rom. 6:23; John 3:36). The wrath of the infinite God must not be compared to human passion. God is love (1 John 4:8), and though He hates sin, He loves the sinner (SC 54). However, God does not force His love upon those who are unwilling to receive His mercy (see DA 22, 466, 759). Thus, God’s wrath against sin is exercised in the withdrawal of His presence and life-giving power from those who choose to remain in sin and thus share in its inevitable consequences (see Gen. 6:3; cf. DA 107, 763, 764; SC 17, 18).

This is illustrated by the terrible experience of the Jews after their rejection of Christ. Since they had become confirmed in their stubborn impenitence and had refused the last offers of mercy, “God withdrew His protection from them and removed His restraining power from Satan and his angels, and the nation was left to the control of the leader she had chosen” (GC 28).

When God’s wrath against sin fell upon Christ as our substitute, it was the separation from His Father that caused Him such great anguish. “This agony He must not exert His divine power to escape. As man He must suffer the consequence of man’s sin. As man He must endure the wrath of God against transgression” (DA 686). Finally, on the cross, “the wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. . . . The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man” (DA 753).

Thus, as Paul explains in Rom. 1:24, 26, 28, God reveals His wrath by turning impenitent men over to the inevitable results of their rebellion. This persistent resistance of God’s love and mercy culminates in the final revelation of God’s wrath on that day when the Spirit of God is at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, the wicked have no protection from the evil one. “As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose” (GC 614). Then fire comes down from God out of heaven, and sin and sinners are forever destroyed (Rev. 20:9; cf. Mal. 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10).

But even this final revelation of God’s wrath in the destruction of the wicked is not an act of arbitrary power. “God is the fountain of life; and when one chooses the service of sin, he separates from God, and thus cuts himself off from life” (DA 764). God gives men existence for a time so that they may develop their characters. When this has been accomplished, they receive the results of their own choice. “By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire” (ibid.; cf. GC 543).

Revealed. Or, “is being revealed” (see v. 17). The full manifestation of the wrath of God will be seen at the end of the world (Rom. 2:5; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 6:16, 17). But God’s displeasure against sin is also being revealed in the condition of mankind. The debasing vices and deliberate wickedness to which the sinner is given over (Rom. 1:24—32), prove God’s condemnation and punishment of sin. Paul’s preaching of the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel (v. 17) also serves to reveal the wrath of God more clearly than ever before.

From heaven. The revelation of divine wrath comes as a message of warning from God’s throne.

Ungodliness. Gr. asebeia, “lack of reverence for God,” “irreligion” (see v. 21).

Unrighteousness. Gr. adikia, “lack of right conduct,” “injustice” (see v. 29).

Hold. Gr. katecho, “to possess,” “to hold fast,” “to hold back,” “to hinder,” “to suppress.” The context here shows that the meaning “hold back” is to be preferred. Compare similar uses of the word in Luke 4:42; 2 Thess. 2:6, 7.

The truth. This refers particularly to knowledge concerning God (see Rom. 1:19, 25; see on John 8:32).

In unrighteousness. In and by their wickedness men were holding back and suppressing the truth about God. In their determination to practice iniquity men were unwilling to retain the knowledge of a pure and holy God who they knew was opposed to such deeds and would punish them. By so doing they were not only suppressing the truth in their own hearts but also concealing the truth from others.