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Commentaries
English
Romans
  
A - THE WHOLE WORLD LIES UNDER THE SWAY OF THE WICKED ONE, AND GOD WILL JUDGE ALL IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
(ROMANS 1:18 - 3:20)

1. The wrath of God against the nations is revealed
(Romans 1:18-32)
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.


After Paul had greeted the church of Rome with humility, love, and longing, emphasizing to them the theme of the Gospel, that is God’s righteousness in Christ, he began the first part of his deep research. He revealed that the righteous wrath of God is coming down against all our impiety toward God and iniquity toward people. Today, we live not only in the age of grace, but also in the age of God’s wrath, which is the motive and mystery of our days. God’s disgust at the abominations of men and his just revenge on their sins are the emblem of our days. Whoever knows the Holy One fears him, and trembles from his anger. Nobody knows himself until he has recognized a little of the rays of the holiness of the Holy One. The offense of man appears in the majesty of divinity.
God created men in his image, but they, in their malicious haughtiness, foolishly chose independence from him. However, in his patience, he did not destroy the poor and disobedient, but expected that they would turn to him thankfully, and surrender to him immediately. But they loved themselves more than God, and kept far away from him, until they became spiritually blind. They no longer felt the glory of the Holy One, but continued in evil, corrupting themselves by themselves, and preventing the others from obtaining salvation, emphasizing their falsehood and their corruption as the right way.
In spite of his falling into sin, man is still able to recognize the existence of God through his wonders in nature. Study the structure of plants, the power of atoms, and the greatness of the innumerable number of stars, and you will worship the Creator, for he is wise, almighty, and eternal. Do you recognize the beauty of your soul, the sense of your conscience, and the creativity of your mind? Do you listen to the pulses of your heart, which beats one hundred thousand times daily, in order to bring blood to all parts of your body? These wonders are not automatic, but are the Creator’s gift to you.
Who of us can fail to stand in awe and to tremble when we see the glory of God in nature? The testimonies to his glory speak without ceasing. The civilized man of our age, however, does not have enough time to read in the open book of nature, which is most clearly written by the hand of God.
He, who fails to honor the Creator, return thanks to him for what he has done and submit to his glory, becomes foolish. He loses the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, becomes blind in his mind, and like a beast. So, dear brother, praise God with love and fear, for he created you in his image and breathed in you the breath of life. You belong to him, and cannot live without him.
All men who do not worship God truly are lost, sinful, and unbelievers. They have lost the center of their energy and power, suppressed their consciences, and darkened their minds. They consider lying in their opinions as truth, twist the knowledge of God, and suppress it violently. Therefore, ask your Lord for a living faith, and guide others to believe in the existence of God, for without trust in his glory, and praise to his mercy, humanity perishes in God’s wrath, which is revealed against them.

Prayer
O holy God, the Almighty, we thank you because you brought us into being, and caused us to be in the best formation. Forgive us our superficiality and our negligence of praising you. Help us to turn to you, confess your existence publicly, continue in your love daily, glorify you at all times, and proclaim your just anger against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, that they may repent and turn to you.
Question
Why is the wrath of God revealed?