(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodli- ness, and unrighteousness of men, &c. The connexion of this verse with the preceding, and consequently the force of the particle/or, will be per- ceived, if it is remembered that Paul had just asserted, that those only who were just by faith, could live ; in other words, that no righteousness but that which is of God by faith, can avail to the justification of men. The reason is assigned in this verse; God is just. Men must be justi- fied by faith, /or the wrath of God is revealed, &c. The wrath of God means his disapprobation of sin and his determination to punish it. The passion which is called anger or wrath, and which is always mixed more or less with malignity in the human breast, is, of course, infinitely removed from what the word imports when used in reference to God. Yet as anger in men leads to the infliction of evil on its object, the word is, agreeable to a principle which pervades the Scriptures, applied to the calm and undeviating purpose of the divine Mind, which secures the connexion between sin and misery, with the same general uniformity that any other law in the physical or moral government of God operates. This wrath is revealed from heaven, that is, it is clearly revealed ; made "kwown from heaven, where God dwells, and whence all manifestations of his character are said to proceed. This revelation is from heaven, as the lightning is, which forces itself on the most reluctant vision. Paul as- sumes that God's punitive justice forces itself on the knowledge and conviction of every sinner. He, therefore, neither tells us how it is ma- nifested, nor does he attempt to prove that such is the fact. It is one of those obvious and ultimate truths which, existing in every man's con- sciousness, may safely be assumed as both known and admitted.
Against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Although the words ungodliness and unrighteousness are often used indiscriminately, they are "not to be considered in this case as synonymous, because Paul distinctly proves that the Gentiles are chargeable both with impiety and immorality, in the ordinary acceptation of these terms. These two all- comprehensive classes of sins are declared to be the objects of the divine displeasure.
Who hold the truth in unrighteousness. The word truth is here va- riously explained. It is obviously inconsistent with the context to un» dersrand it of the gospel, as though the apostle meant to denounce judgment on those who opposed the gospel. The word is used with considerable latitude in the Scriptures. It is often used for true religion^ including both its doctrines, John 8 : 32. Rom. 2 : 20. 2 Cor. 4 : 2, &c.