In the first two chapters of Romans, Paul speaks of the wrath of God. I think most Evangelicals assume that this refers to the lake of fire. Unbelievers, it is thought, will be cast into hell and experience God’s wrath forever.
But a closer look at the concept of wrath in Romans leads to another view. In Rom 1:18, Paul says that we can see the wrath of God in the present age. It is not something we will see in the future when unbelievers are judged at the Great White Throne. Paul says it is seen when men act unrighteously. Sin in the life of a person brings the wrath of God.
That is the way we should understand wrath in Romans 2 as well. Paul says people are storing up wrath in the “day of wrath” (Rom 2:5). While many will say this refers to the day people are thrown into hell, the verse teaches that people are storing up wrath now by their sinful actions (2:2-5). The day of wrath, then, is best understood as the time when God’s judgment falls upon a person in this life as a result of their sin. Our sins have negative consequences here and now.
While this view of wrath might seem strange to some, I recently noticed that the OT uses the phrase “the day of wrath” in the same way. In Prov 11:1-4, Solomon speaks of a dishonest businessman. He uses his scales to cheat people out of their money. He is proud because he thinks he is clever in his deception and can pull the wool over his customers’ eyes. Solomon describes these actions as perverse.
No doubt, such practices will often result in momentary wealth. The proud, sinful, and dishonest businessman will think that his money will save him from any adversity. But Solomon says these riches will be of “no profit in the day of wrath” (11:4).
It is clear that Solomon sees the day of wrath as something that comes upon a person in this present life. He says that a righteous life will deliver a person from wrath (11:6). Nobody enters into the kingdom because they lived a righteous life. Solomon’s point is that when trouble comes into our lives, righteousness is much more valuable than riches, especially those gained by deception.
Other OT writers use the phrase in the same way. Ezekiel and Zephaniah tell the Jews that when the nation is judged by her enemies, they will see a day of wrath. It will come upon them because of their sin (Job 21:30; Ezek 7:19; Zeph 1:18).
A Christian businessman who is dishonest cannot be cast into hell. He has eternal life that can never be lost. But he can experience the wrath of God. That wrath can come in various ways. Perhaps his customers will figure out what he has been doing, and his reputation will be ruined. This will crush his pride. Perhaps his actions will result in huge fines or even imprisonment. Perhaps wrath will be experienced through a guilty conscience or the constant fear that he will be found out.
Troubles come into every life as a result of living in this world. Solomon says that when they come, righteous living is the way to get through them. The wicked person, whether he is a believer or unbeliever, will experience a day of wrath. Our righteous actions cannot save us from the lake of fire. But they sure are a wise way to live. Paul and Solomon agree.
