God is Righteous in His Wrath

Sermon Text

Romans 1:18-3:20

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For 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, 21 because, 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. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Circumcision of No Avail

25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

God’s Judgment Defended

3 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

All Have Sinned

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10 As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

• Main Thesis (Rom. 1:16–17):
  The gospel is the power of God for salvation, revealing the righteousness of God by faith.

• Universal Sinfulness (Rom. 1–3):

  • Gentiles are unrighteous (Rom. 1:18–32)

  • Jews are also unrighteous despite having the law (Rom. 2)

  • Conclusion: All are under sin (Rom. 3:9–18)

• Key Doctrine: Total Depravity

  • None are righteous, none seek God

  • Sin affects mind, will, speech, and actions

  • Humanity is guilty before God

10 Truths About God from Romans 1–3

1. God Reveals Himself

   • Through creation (general revelation)

   • Humanity suppresses this truth

2. God is Good and Giving

   • Provides daily blessings to all

   • His goodness is meant to lead to repentance

3. God is Patient and Forbearing

   • Delays judgment

   • Gives time for repentance

4. God is Righteous and Impartial

   • Judges according to truth

   • No favoritism

5. God is Presently Wrathful

   • Wrath is not just future—it is active now

   • Abides on those outside Christ

6. God Judges by Giving People Over

   • Allows people to pursue their sinful desires

   • This is an active form of judgment

7. God Gives Even While Judging

   • Continues to bless sinners

   • His kindness is often misused

8. God Maintains Moral Witness (Conscience)

   • Law written on human hearts

   • Conscience testifies against sin

9. God Sees the Inner Man

   • Judges secrets and motives

   • External religion is insufficient

10. God is Faithful and True

• Human unfaithfulness does not nullify God

• Salvation rests on His faithfulness, not ours

Central Problem

• Humanity suppresses truth, ignores God’s goodness, and remains under sin and wrath.

Central Question

• How can anyone stand before a righteous and impartial God?

Answer

• By the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone

• Flee from sin and rest in Christ

• Why is it important that Paul proves both Jews and Gentiles are under sin?

• How do people today suppress the truth about God?

• In what ways have you seen God’s goodness taken for granted?

• What does it mean that God “gives people over” to their sin?

• How does understanding God’s impartial judgment affect your view of salvation?

• Why is external religion insufficient before God?

• How does the doctrine of total depravity humble us?

• What does it look like practically to “flee to Christ”?

• How can we respond rightly when our conscience condemns us?

• Why is God’s faithfulness the only secure foundation for salvation?

• Total Depravity: Sin affects every part of human nature

• General Revelation: Knowledge of God through creation

• Special Revelation: God revealed in Scripture and Christ

• Justification: Being declared righteous by faith in Christ

• Wrath of God: His holy response to sin

• Imputation: Christ’s righteousness credited to believers

• Conscience: Internal moral witness given by God

• Forbearance: God’s delay of judgment

• Judicial Giving Over: God allowing sinners to pursue sin as judgment