I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness (Romans 1:16-18, NIV).
Romans 1:16-18 presents a striking juxtaposition: the Gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” (1:16-17) and simultaneously “the wrath of God” (1:18). To interpret this relationship, we must consider the covenantal and redemptive-historical context of Paul’s argument, while recognizing how God’s wrath and righteousness work together to unveil His ultimate purposes in Christ.
First, the revelation of God’s wrath in verse 18 is not arbitrary or capricious; it is grounded in His justice and holiness. God’s wrath is the necessary response to human sin and rebellion. This wrath, currently “being revealed” (present tense), reflects God’s active judgment on human unrighteousness and impiety, demonstrating His intolerance of sin and His commitment to uphold His moral law. It aligns with the covenantal understanding that sin has consequences under God’s covenantal administration of history. In fact, Romans 1:18-32 illustrates how humanity suppresses the truth of God’s existence and authority, resulting in God’s wrath being revealed in the consequences of their sin (e.g., idolatry and moral degradation).
On the other hand, the revelation of “the righteousness of God” in 1:16-17 serves as the answer to the problem of sin and wrath. This “righteousness” refers not merely to God’s character, but also to the gift of righteousness imputed to believers through faith in Christ. As John Calvin and others have noted, this righteousness is not earned but is entirely alien—coming from outside of ourselves—and is granted by grace through faith alone. The Gospel reveals this righteousness as God’s means of reconciling sinners to Himself, satisfying both His justice (which demands wrath for sin) and His mercy (which provides salvation).
The key to understanding the relationship between wrath and righteousness lies in the Cross of Christ. The Cross is where God’s wrath and righteousness meet most fully. The Cross is not simply an event where God judges sin, but where He also enacts His covenantal faithfulness. At the Cross, God’s wrath is poured out on Christ as the substitute for sinners, thus demonstrating His justice (Rom. 3:25-26). Simultaneously, this act reveals God’s righteousness by upholding His covenant promises and providing a way for sinners to be justified. In this sense, the Gospel proclaims both the reality of God’s wrath and the wonder of His righteousness, with the former serving as the backdrop that magnifies the glory of the latter.
A unique observation arises when considering how Paul frames this revelation as ongoing (“is being revealed”). God’s wrath is not merely an eschatological reality reserved for the final judgment, nor is His righteousness confined to the historical moment of the Cross. Both are active and operative in the present age. The present revelation of wrath underscores humanity’s need for the Gospel, while the ongoing revelation of righteousness through faith proclaims God’s provision for that need.
This relationship also reminds us of the necessity of proclaiming both the bad news of sin and wrath and the good news of justification through faith in Christ. The two cannot be separated. To understand the depth of God’s righteousness, we must first reckon with the reality of His wrath. Yet the wrath of God, while real, is not the final word; it serves to drive sinners to the Cross, where the righteousness of God is displayed most gloriously.
Romans 1:16-18 portrays a theological tension resolved in Christ. The wrath of God reveals the gravity of human sin and rebellion, while the righteousness of God reveals His gracious provision for salvation. Together, they testify to the coherence and beauty of the Gospel, a message that is both sobering and life-giving.
Leave a Reply