The word orge (translated 'wrath') occurs twelve times in Romans, and

of these occurrences seven are found in the first great doctrinal division

(Rom. 1:1 to 5:11).  It is an important word, and seeing that it is placed in

distinct relation to righteousness in Romans 1:17,18, it demands a prayerful

study.  We observe in the first place that 'wrath' is used in the outer

portion of Romans only.  The word is not used in Romans 5:12 to 8:39.  The

word 'wrath' is not used either of Adam or of man seen in Adam.  Judgment,

condemnation and death there are, but unaccompanied by wrath.  There is no

wrath either in connection with the lake of fire, or the great white throne

in Revelation 20.  All is calm, books are opened, everyone is dealt with in

pure justice.  Wrath, anger, indignation, fury, these words are of a

different category.

Many times do we read that the wrath or the anger of the Lord was

'kindled', as in Exodus 4:14, or of wrath 'waxing hot', as in Exodus 22:24,

or of His anger 'smoking' (Psa. 74:1), and of it being poured out in 'fury'

(Isa. 42:25).  The nature of the wrath of Romans 1:18, and of the day of

wrath with which it is connected (Rom. 2:5), is discovered in the book of the

Revelation.  Those upon whom this wrath is poured are the 'nations', and the

time is the time of the dead that they should be judged and rewarded (Rev.

11:18; 19:15).  This wrath falls particularly upon Babylon (Rev. 16:19), and

in direct connection with its idolatry and uncleanness (Rev. 14:8 -10),

Babylon is in view in Romans 1:18 -32.  There we see that Satanic system in

all its naked horror; there we see the domination of darkness and the lie.

In this section we read of those who by their deeds are 'worthy of death',

and who 'have pleasure' in deeds of evil (Rom. 1:32).  This section therefore

is connected with wrath.

There is much to be learned by comparing 1 and 2 Thessalonians with

this passage in Romans:

'Wrath ... revealed from heaven' (Rom. 1:18).

'The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven' (2 Thess. 1:7).

'When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God ....  They did not

like to retain God in their knowledge' (Rom. 1:21,28).

'In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God' (2 Thess.

'They ... have pleasure in them that do them' (Rom. 1:32).

'They ... had pleasure in unrighteousness' (2 Thess. 2:12).

'They changed the truth of God into the lie' (Rom. 1:25).

'They received not ... the truth ... they ... believe the lie' (2

Thess. 2:10,11).

'They changed the glory of ... God into an image made like to ... man'

(Rom. 1:23).

'Man of sin ... shewing himself that he is God' (2 Thess. 2:3,4).

'Wrath ... revealed ... idolatry' (Rom. 1:18 -25).

'Ye turned to God from idols ... delivered ... from the wrath to come'

(1 Thess. 1:9,10).

'God also gave them up to uncleanness' (Rom. 1:24).

'Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not

God' (1 Thess. 4:5).