Understanding the Wrath of God (Part One)

The wrath of God is Paul’s starting point of the Gospel.

God’s Wrath Defined

Wrath: strong vengeful anger or indignation; retributory punishment for an offense or a crime:

Wrath of God: An expression of divine displeasure with human sin.

The free, subjective and holy response of God to sin and to the evil and wickedness exhibited by creatures in opposition to God.

God’s wrath is not so much a “feeling” as much an action of God, His judgment on sin.

Human anger is often a loss of self-control, whereas God’s wrath is calculated and intentional against sin and his desire for justice.

It is foolish to think that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath, while the God of the New Testament is a God of grace.

God’s Wrath Described

God’s wrath is described as burning, blazing, fuming.

English Bible words to describe the wrath of God: wrath, anger, indignation fury, furious anger, passion, retribution, judgment, dreadful judgment, terrors of judgment, vengeance, punishment.

The Target of God’s Wrath

God’s wrath is shown against sin & unrighteousness.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Ephesians 5:5-6

And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.Isaiah 66:14-15

Although Paul’s indictment of humanity in 1:18–32 includes sins of idolatry and sexual immorality that Jews consider characteristic of the Gentiles, the apostle casts the net more widely. God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of human beings.

If there were no sin, there would be no wrath.

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.Nahum 1:2

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.Exodus 22:23-24

God’s wrath is culminated in His final punishment for sin in Hell.

We must be careful that we do not use the wrath of God as a manipulation tactic.

Can God’s wrath co-exist with his love? Is God wrath?

One cannot understand the love of God without the hatred of God.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Proverbs 6:16-19

All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.Hosea 9:15

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.Psalm 45:6-7

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.Psalm 7:8-13

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.Zechariah 8:17

One cannot understand God’s grace without God’s wrath.

“God’s wrath is the twin of God’s mercy. Mercy without correction is mere permission, and mere permission never has the best interests of the person in mind. God’s wrath, then, is God’s mercy.”

If sin has no consequence, why obey God?

God’s righteousness would be called into question if He appears indecisive in opposing evil.

God is not anger, He is justice.

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.Job 37:23

God’s wrath flows from His love for justice.

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

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.Proverbs 21:3

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Isaiah 9:7

Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.Isaiah 56:1

God’s wrath is not part of his essential nature, as is love, holiness, righteousness. His wrath is in response to human sin.

God does not delight in wrath.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.Lamentations 3:33

In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.Isaiah 27:2-3

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.Hosea 11:9

We cannot enjoy the grace of God without understanding the wrath of God.

We cannot appreciate salvation without understanding what we have been saved from.

We cannot share the beauty and majesty of the Gospel without appropriately explaining the wrath of God.

God’s wrath and Hell are realities, but so is God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace through Jesus.