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Does God inflict wrath? Why is this associated with the reasonable possibility that people might assume that in so doing He would be unfair? And why, if the first question is true, might it affect His ability to “judge” the world?
The word translated as “wrath” here is the same word that keeps showing up all through the New Testament, orge. In Strong's dictionary it is defined as “orge, properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment:--anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.”
Obviously there are some serious variations of options from which to choose from here when translating into English. And it certainly cannot be overlooked that the belief systems of the translators themselves will always play a major role in determining which words to choose depending on their view of God and His character.
For my part, I believe it is far more accurate and consistent with the rest of Scripture to understand this word in the context of the first few definitions rather than the last. And I believe that the verses quoted above bring pressure to do just that.
The context of these verses in Romans is a discussion of people who want to rationalize their sinning by using some convoluted reasoning. They arrive at the conclusion that because their sin makes God's righteousness look better by contrast then they should get some kind of credit for making Him look good. This implies that in “the judgment” they should receive some kind of favor from the judge for enhancing His reputation. This of course, reveals the human penchant to pervert justice by trying to somehow “bribe” the judge.
I also believe this passage is presenting the usual view of “wrath” in the context of these false arguments. People are trying to imply that if God can get away with arbitrarily condemning them to be lost in a fit of His anger, He cannot at the same time still be a righteous God. Notice that Paul here takes pains to remind us that he is speaking in human terms. I believe he notes this partly because he is referring to the human version and experience of "wrath" in contrast to a more correct view from God's perspective. If this claim against God is true, and many even today subtly believe there is some truth to it, then it makes for a strong case that God seems to be disqualified to be a fair and just judge over the world. Today, just as all throughout history, most people assume that God is Judge primarily because He is the strongest Being in the universe and therefore no one can resist His determinations; everyone is simply forced to accept His claim of being just even though deep inside we still have nagging doubts about it.
But Paul is addressing this very issue by the way he brings these questions out into the light and challenges us to consider them. While we may brush aside the assertion that we should get some kind of favorable consideration in the judgment for our sins making God look more righteous, the more serious charge of God's perceived qualifications to be an unbiased, totally honest and fair judge while at the same time inflicting “wrath” (as it is usually understood) still remains an issue that must be addressed.
The underlying issue discussed in this whole section of Romans is the fairness of God. And this question lies at the very base of all of Satan's accusations and charges against God upon which his counterfeit kingdom is founded. It is of utmost importance that we seriously consider this issue and come to terms with it; for the conclusions that we come to are both influenced and have influence on all our other beliefs and doctrines.
To put it more succinctly, the charge is that if God can indulge in a temporary and even slight loss of patience in His intense passion and anger about sin and sinners, then He can be validly charged with being unfit to pass sentence on others, even though they cannot resist or question His decisions. This is the great lie that Satan has sought to infuse and reinforce in every intelligent being willing to listen and sympathize with him. And sadly most Christians have bought into this lie to some extent or another. We may not state it that plainly, but deep inside the question continues to arise on occasion and assert itself into our consciousness. It is a troubling but valid question and should not be once again suppressed, ignored or piously disposed of with a lot of religious double-talk. Either God is absolutely fair, just, good, righteous and consistently compassionate and loving, or there is a fault in His character that will give Satan a foothold in the mind of reasoning, thinking minds unwilling to accept pious arguments in God's defense.
The one doctrine that lies at the heart of the consideration of this important point about God and that has wreaked the most havoc in distorting human perceptions about God's character is the various beliefs about how God will bring about an end to the problem of sin. Many people strongly believe in an eternally, ongoing existence of supreme torture and pain imposed on everyone who rejects God's offer of mercy. Many others after carefully considering this disastrous lie about God have rejected the existence of God altogether rather than embracing belief in such a monstrous, diabolic two-faced Being. There are still others who insist that the torture does not last throughout all eternity but only for a predetermined time during which God's vents His anger and frustration and indignation on those so crass as to resist His loving advances toward them in their former life. These piously feel that their doctrine of limited “punishment” is far more favorable to God's reputation than the eternally tortured version of hell put forward by the others. But they miss the point that belief in any amount of arbitrary torture, punishment or deliberate infliction of pain on rejectors of love still betrays and undermines many of God's claims about Himself put forward throughout all of Scripture. Again, this thinking about God has created more confusion, hostility and animosity against God than any other scheme Satan has put forward. And tragically it is promoted and supported by millions who still claim to believe in a perfect God of love and mercy and Who never changes.
Paul presents a compelling question that must rise in the hearts of sinners if the above assertions are assumed to be true. “But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?” (Romans 3:7)
