Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὀργὴ
the wrath
G3709
ὀργὴ
the wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
6 of 18
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀδικίᾳ
unrighteousness
G93
ἀδικίᾳ
unrighteousness
Strong's:
G93
Word #:
11 of 18
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Romans 1:32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.Colossians 3:6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:2 Thessalonians 2:10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.Romans 4:15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.Romans 5:9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;Romans 2:3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?Romans 1:19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Historical Context
Paul's indictment of humanity begins with Gentile idolatry (1:18-32), then includes Jewish law-breaking (2:1-3:8), concluding that all are under sin (3:9-20). This threefold structure demolishes any claim to innocence. The Greco-Roman world was saturated with immorality—temple prostitution, infanticide, gladiatorial bloodshed, slavery, sexual exploitation. Jewish readers would have nodded in agreement about Gentile depravity, only to be confronted with their own sin in chapter 2. Paul's diagnosis is universal and total.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's love with His wrath (ὀργή), and why is denying divine wrath an assault on God's holiness and justice?
- In what ways do you or your culture 'suppress the truth' (κατέχω τὴν ἀλήθειαν) about God, morality, or reality?
- What is the relationship between 'ungodliness' (ἀσέβεια) toward God and 'unrighteousness' (ἀδικία) toward people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Having established God's righteousness revealed in the gospel (v. 17), Paul now contrasts it with God's wrath revealed against sin. Apokaluptetai gar orgē theou ap' ouranou (ἀποκαλύπτεται γὰρ ὀργὴ θεοῦ ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ, 'for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven') uses the same verb apokaluptetai (is revealed)—God's wrath is as much a present reality as His righteousness. Orgē (ὀργή, wrath) is not capricious rage but settled, righteous indignation against sin. It is judicial, not emotional; holy, not vindictive.
The object of wrath is epi pasan asebeian kai adikian anthrōpōn (ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ἀσέβειαν καὶ ἀδικίαν ἀνθρώπων, 'against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men'). Asebeian (ἀσέβεια, ungodliness) refers to violations against God—irreverence, idolatry, impiety. Adikian (ἀδικία, unrighteousness) refers to violations against people—injustice, immorality. These two categories encompass the two tables of the law (Exodus 20). The participial phrase tōn tēn alētheian en adikia katechontōn (τῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐν ἀδικίᾳ κατεχόντων, 'who suppress/hold down the truth in unrighteousness') describes active resistance to known truth. Katechontōn (κατέχω) means to suppress, hold down, or restrain—humanity actively suppresses revelation of God.