Romans 2:5

After. Gr. kata, “according to,” “because of.”

Hardness. Or, “obstinacy,” “stubbornness.” The Jews were in a state of mind where the goodness and forbearance of God had no effect.

Impenitent heart. That is, a heart that refuses to repent. There has been no change of attitude in the heart. The hardness is voluntarily continued and increased, in spite of God’s leading.

Unto thyself wrath. In contrast with the riches of God’s goodness (v. 4) and the heavenly treasure (Matt. 6:20). The rejection of the riches of goodness has as its consequence a treasure of wrath. A man who rejects God’s love is not in the same condition as one who has never known divine grace. Every blessing and privilege bestowed brings a corresponding responsibility. Persistent resistance of the love of God gradually accumulates a store of wrath for the day of reckoning (see Deut. 32:34, 35). As in Rom. 1:18 (see comment there), wrath is the divine displeasure against sin, which results in the abandonment of man to the judgment of death.

Paul does not say, “God is storing up wrath,” but rather, “You are storing up wrath for yourself.”

Against the day of wrath. Literally, “in the day of wrath.”

Righteous judgment. The “day of wrath” will reveal to men and to angels, both good and evil, that God is a righteous judge. This revelation will consist of His rendering to every man according to his deeds (see DA 763, 764; GC 668).

This final revelation, which takes place at the consummation of all things, is to be contrasted with the revelation of the wrath and righteous judgment of God as seen in the depraved condition of mankind (ch. 1:18).