Theology Thursday - The Wrath of God

Romans 1:11–18 KJV 1900

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Lesson Abstract:

This lesson explores The Wrath of God as one of His moral attributes. Often misunderstood, God's wrath is not wild anger or emotional outbursts—it is His holy and just response to sin and rebellion. The Bible describes God's wrath in both the Old and New Testaments using strong words, but always as a part of His love and justice. Believers must understand that God's wrath is not in conflict with His goodness but flows from it. This lesson explains the meaning of divine wrath, examines its biblical foundations in Hebrew and Greek, and helps us apply its truth to our lives as we live in a world that often ignores God's standards.

Introduction with Updated Illustration

A high school student from a middle-class suburb borrows the family car without permission, breaks curfew, and gets a speeding ticket. When his parents find out, they are not screaming or slamming doors. They calmly take away his keys, ground him for a month, and make him pay the fine from his part-time job.

Was it punishment? Yes. But was it out of hate? No—it came from love and a deep desire to help him mature. That’s how God’s wrath works. It isn’t random rage; it’s His loving, holy response to wrongdoing. He corrects because He cares.

A. Hebrew & Greek Terms:

Hebrew: אַף (aph) – symbolic of righteous indignation.

Greek: ὀργή (orgē) – controlled, judicial anger against wrongdoing.

Greek: θυμός (thumos) – divine indignation (Revelation 14:10).

B. Theological Definition: God’s wrath is His holy and righteous response to sin, evil, and rebellion against His will. It is neither impulsive nor vindictive, but always consistent with His unchanging character. God's wrath is never cruel, never unjust, and never separated from His perfect love, truth, and justice.

It is the moral revulsion of God against all that contradicts His holiness. Wrath is not the opposite of love—it is love's demand for justice in the face of sin's destructiveness. His wrath flows from His goodness and is a necessary part of His being as the Judge of all the earth.

God’s Wrath Is Holy and Righteous - God’s wrath arises from His holiness. Sin is not merely a mistake—it is an offense against a holy God.

God’s Wrath is Never Cruel or Vindictive (Ezekiel 18:23, Lamentations 3:33, Isaiah 28:21) - God’s love and wrath are not in opposition—they are both expressions of His holiness. If He did not hate sin, He would not truly love righteousness, nor would He care about justice for the oppressed.

God’s Wrath is Consistent with His Love (John 3:36, Romans 5:8-9, 1 John 4:10) - God’s love and wrath are not in opposition—they are both expressions of His holiness. If He did not hate sin, He would not truly love righteousness, nor would He care about justice for the oppressed.

God’s Wrath Is a Response to Persistent Rebellion - (Romans 2:4-5, 2 peter 3:9-10) - God does not rush to wrath. He is patient and longsuffering, but eventually His justice demands action against unrepentant evil.

Apologetic Note: Jehovah’s Witnesses claim God’s wrath is symbolic or temporary, not personal. Yet Scripture repeatedly describes God as being angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11), and Jesus Himself spoke of hellfire as a real consequence of divine wrath (Matthew 10:28). Denying wrath strips the gospel of its meaning and diminishes the holiness of God.

IV. Three Biblical Truths About God's Wrath

Truth #1: God’s Wrath Is Righteous, Not Reckless

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

Romans 1:18 KJV 1900

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

God’s wrath is never out of control—it’s the outworking of His justice. He is not reactionary. His wrath is settled against sin that violates His holiness.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalm 7:11 “11 God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”

Ezekiel 18:30 “30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”

Romans 2:5 “5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”

Hebrews 10:31 “31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Apologetics Response: Some liberal theologians and progressive churches argue that divine wrath is a myth—just ancient imagery. However, Paul teaches wrath is revealed from heaven, not from human emotion (Romans 1:18). If God doesn’t have wrath, then He is indifferent to sin, which contradicts both Old and New Testament truth. Love without justice is license.

Illustration: A city inspector finds that a contractor used unsafe materials in a school building. The inspector doesn’t explode in emotion—but he shuts the project down. His righteous action protects others from harm. That’s how God responds to moral corruption.

Truth #2: God’s Wrath Reflects His Love for Justice

Main Text: Nahum 1:2 God’s wrath is not a contradiction of His love—it proves it. Because He loves righteousness, He must hate evil. He will not tolerate injustice forever.

Nahum 1:2 KJV 1900

2 God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; The Lord revengeth, and is furious; The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, And he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 61:8 “8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; And I will direct their work in truth, And I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”

Psalm 89:14 “14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: Mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”

Deuteronomy 32:4 “4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.”

Proverbs 11:21 “21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”

Illustration: A father finds out his daughter has been harassed online. He takes immediate legal action—not because he enjoys punishment, but because he is motivated by justice and love for his child. God’s wrath is love in action for justice.

Teaching Transition: But if God is so just, what hope is there for sinners like us? That brings us to the beauty of the gospel.

Truth #3: God’s Wrath Is Satisfied at the Cross

Main Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Jesus took the punishment we deserved. The word for this is propitiation—He turned away God’s wrath by offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV 1900

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Greek Word: ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion) – the mercy seat, the place where wrath is satisfied.

Cross-References (KJV):

Romans 5:9 “9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Isaiah 53:5 “5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.”

1 John 4:10 “10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Illustration: A family facing foreclosure receives an unexpected gift from a friend who pays their entire debt. The bank is satisfied, and the family is saved. That’s what Christ did. The debt of our sin was paid in full by Jesus.

Teaching Transition: So now that we've seen God’s holy wrath and His saving love, how should we respond?

V. Application & Reflection

Three Personal Responses to God’s Wrath:

Repentance – Turn from sin and run to God’s mercy.

Reverence – Live with awe for God’s holiness.

Rejoicing – Thank God for the cross that rescued us.

Quote – A.W. Tozer: “God’s wrath is His utter intolerance of whatever degrades and destroys.”

VI. Group Discussion Questions

Why is it dangerous to ignore or minimize God’s wrath in our understanding of the gospel?

How does the cross help you appreciate God’s justice and love?

What area of your life needs to be aligned with God’s holiness this week?

VII. Closing Prayer & Benediction

Father, we thank You for being holy and just. Help us never to treat sin lightly, but to run toward Your mercy. Thank You for Jesus, who bore our punishment and made peace through His blood. May we live with reverence, hope, and joy in light of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.