The Wicked vs. the Righteous

Because the wicked refuse righteousness they will be destroyed by the methods they used to destroy others (21:7) and by the wrath of god. The wrath of God is revealed in the gospel as part of God’s righteousness The phrase ‘wrath of God’ is found ten times in Scripture (Rom. 1:18; Ps. 78:31; John 3:36; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:6; Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1).

God’s wrath is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. In Romans 1:18-32 Paul proves the utter ungodliness of the Gentile world and its deserving God’s wrath. In Romans 2:1-3:8 he proves that the Jews are also ungodly and deserving of God’s wrath. In Romans 3:9-20 he sums up the case of both Jews and Gentiles, proving the whole world guilty.

‘The righteous is an everlasting foundation.’ Twelve characteristics of the righteous: They walk uprightly – without blame (Ps. 15:2). They work righteousness. They speak truth inwardly. They be free from backbiting (Ps. 15:3). They do no evil to neighbours. They receive no reproach about neighbours. They hold vile people condemned (Ps. 15:4). They honour them that fear the Lord. They keep their word even to their own hurt. They take no advantage of one in need to increase riches (Ps. 15:5). They refuse bribes. They protect the innocent.