Romans 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Original Language Analysis
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
1 of 19
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καρδίαν
heart
G2588
καρδίαν
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
8 of 19
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
θησαυρίζεις
treasurest up
G2343
θησαυρίζεις
treasurest up
Strong's:
G2343
Word #:
9 of 19
to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively)
ὀργῆς
of wrath
G3709
ὀργῆς
of wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
ἡμέρᾳ
the day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
13 of 19
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὀργῆς
of wrath
G3709
ὀργῆς
of wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;Ecclesiastes 12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.2 Peter 3:7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.Jude 1:6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.Hebrews 3:15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.Deuteronomy 32:34Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?Hebrews 4:7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.Hebrews 3:13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.Psalms 110:5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Historical Context
Jewish apocalyptic literature (Daniel, intertestamental works like 1 Enoch) vividly described the "day of wrath" when God would judge the world. Most Jews expected vindication on that day, with judgment falling on Gentile oppressors. Paul shockingly redirects: unrepentant Jews face the same wrath. The phrase "revelation of the righteous judgment" indicates this judgment is currently hidden but will be unveiled—secrets exposed, motives judged, hypocrisy condemned (Romans 2:16).
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of my life show 'hardness'—places where I've resisted God's convicting Spirit repeatedly?
- Am I accumulating treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) or storing up wrath through unrepented sin?
- How does contemplating the 'day of wrath' motivate present repentance rather than inducing despair?
Analysis & Commentary
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart—κατὰ δὲ τὴν σκληρότητά σου (kata de tēn sklērotēta sou), literally "according to your hardness." Σκληρότης (sklērotēs) means "hardness/stubbornness," the same root describing Pharaoh's hardened heart (Exodus 4-14 LXX). Ἀμετανόητος καρδία (ametanoētos kardia, "unrepentant heart") combines alpha-privative with "repentance"—a heart refusing to change. Treasurest up unto thyself wrath—the verb θησαυρίζεις (thēsaurizeis, "store up/accumulate") ironically applies 'treasure-gathering' to divine fury.
This verse delivers devastating irony: instead of treasuring up God's goodness (v. 4), the unrepentant accumulate wrath. Every sin unrepented adds to the eschatological storehouse, like compound interest on a debt unpayable. Against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God—ἡμέρα ὀργῆς καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως (hēmera orgēs kai apokalypseōs) refers to final judgment when God's δικαιοκρισία (dikaiokrisia, "righteous judgment") is unveiled.
Paul's language echoes Amos 5:18-20's warning about "the day of the LORD" being darkness, not light, for the unrepentant. The heart—kardia—is Scripture's core of moral identity (Proverbs 4:23, Jeremiah 17:9). A hard heart cannot repent; only God's Spirit can replace the heart of stone with flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).