Help with The Letter of Paul to the Romans

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coachyanez

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Good afternoon all,

I currently started a bible study on St Pauls letter to the Romans. We are using the ignatius catholic study bible and it has some study questions.

I am stuck and need some help.
In Romans 1:18 it talks about the wrath of God and then it explains all of the different things that sinful man has done.

My problem is that the study question is
What is the wrath of God? How is it related to God’s love?

From what I understand I would say that God’s wrath is sin in the world and that this is related to his love because he suffered and died for our sins because he so loved the world.

I’m not sure if I’m correct, please help
 
coachyanez said:
Good afternoon all,

I currently started a bible study on St Pauls letter to the Romans. We are using the ignatius catholic study bible and it has some study questions.

I am stuck and need some help.
In Romans 1:18 it talks about the wrath of God and then it explains all of the different things that sinful man has done.

My problem is that the study question is
What is the wrath of God? How is it related to God’s love?

From what I understand I would say that God’s wrath is sin in the world and that this is related to his love because he suffered and died for our sins because he so loved the world.

I’m not sure if I’m correct, please help
Click to expand...
I would have to disagree with your conclusion. God’s wrath is not the sin, God’s wrath is His judgement on unforgiven sin. God is not only infinite love, He is infinite justice. Unless we lay our sins at the foot of the cross through the sacrament of reconciliation, we will experience the wrath of God.

Gary
 
coachyanez said:
Good afternoon all,

My problem is that the study question is
What is the wrath of God? How is it related to God’s love?

From what I understand I would say that God’s wrath is sin in the world and that this is related to his love because he suffered and died for our sins because he so loved the world.
Click to expand...
Verses 24-28 show that God’s wrath/judgement of a hardened sinner **can begin even in this life **-- that God withdraws His grace, gives “them up in the lusts of their hearts…”

Here is some commentary on these verses from the Geo. Haydock Bible:
Ver. 24. Wherefore God gave them[4] up, &c. That is, as St. Chrysostom says, permitted them, in punishment of their wilful blindness, to fall into the foulest, most shameful, and unnatural sins of uncleanness here described. (Witham)

Ver. 26. God delivered them up. Not by being author of their sins, but by withdrawing his grace, and so permitting them, in punishment of their pride, to fall into those shameful sins. (Challoner)

Ver. 27. Receiving in themselves the recompense…due to their error. That is, were justly punished for their wilful blindness and error, by which they had worshipped and adored creatures, instead of the Creator, idols instead of the one true God. (Witham)

Romans 2:5-8 then speak of God’s wrath/judgement that will occur when we are judged after death.
But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. For He will render to every man according to His works; …for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.

In both this life and after death, His wrath consists of His righteous judgement and punishment of unrepented evil deeds.
(I’m still thinking about how it is related to His infinite love!!)
 
Regarding how God’s wrath/judgement is related to His love, I came across this statement in “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” (p. 49 in my book, under “God is infinitely merciful”):
The rewarding of the good and the punishing of the wicked is not merely a work of the Divine Justice, but also an operation of the Divine Mercy, as He rewards beyond merits (Mt. 19:29) and punishes less than is merited. (Summa Theologica I 21, 4)

Here are St. Thomas’ words from the referenced Summa passage:
“Certain works are attributed to justice, and certain others to mercy, because in some justice appears more forcibly and in others mercy. Even in the damnation of the reprobate mercy is seen, which, though it does not totally remit, yet somewhat alleviates, in punishing short of what is deserved. …”

The Navarre Bible commentary on this section of Romans reminds us that “ultimately it is a mystery”.
Christian teaching often points out how God’s desire that all sinners be saved (the “righteousness of God” as instrument of salvation) combines with His punishment of sin (the “wrath of God”). How perfect justice interfaces with perfect mercy is ultimately a mystery.

Hope the above helps.
Nita
 
There was an interesting discussion about the wrath of God on the TV show “The Choices We Face” this week. It will be repeated on EWTN this Friday. (I think it’s in the morning but I’m not sure.)

Gary
 
Revelation 14:9-11 "Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

The “wrath of God” is punishment in hell for eternity for “sons of disobedience:”

Ephesians 5:5-7 “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for** because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience**. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Colossians 3:5-7 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”

The “wrath of God” is also His vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power”
 
I want to thank all of you for your responses. I will look at all of the information you have given me. God bless
 
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