Introduction
What is God like? This question stands at the centre of all theological inquiry and shapes every aspect of Christian faith and practice. Theology proper—the study of God's nature and attributes—forms the foundation upon which all other doctrines rest. How we understand God's character determines how we approach salvation, ethics, worship, and our relationship with creation itself.
The Book of Romans provides one of Scripture's most profound explorations of God's nature. Paul doesn't present God as a distant philosophical concept but as a personal, holy, and sovereign being who acts decisively in human history. Through Romans, we encounter God as both utterly transcendent and intimately involved in creation, perfectly just yet graciously merciful.
Understanding God's nature properly affects every dimension of Christian life. It shapes our worship, influences our understanding of suffering and evil, guides our ethical decisions, and provides the foundation for our hope.
Biblical Foundation in Romans
Paul's understanding of God's nature emerges throughout Romans, revealing divine attributes that work together in perfect harmony to accomplish redemption.
God's Holiness and Wrath
Romans opens with a sobering declaration: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18). This introduction to God's wrath establishes his absolute holiness—his complete separation from and opposition to all that is evil.
Paul's concept of divine wrath is not arbitrary anger but righteous indignation against sin. God's wrath represents his settled opposition to everything that corrupts his creation and harms his creatures. This wrath is "being revealed"—a present reality that will culminate in final judgement, demonstrating that God's opposition to sin is actively demonstrated through both natural consequences and direct intervention.
The universality of God's wrath reflects his perfect holiness. Romans 1:18-3:20 systematically demonstrates that all humanity stands under divine condemnation. This universal scope reveals that God's standards are absolute, not relative to human cultures or personal preferences. His holiness demands perfect righteousness, leaving no room for moral compromise.
God's Righteousness and Justice
Central to Romans is Paul's declaration that "in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed" (Romans 1:17). This phrase carries profound theological weight, referring both to God's essential character and his redemptive activity. God's righteousness represents his unwavering commitment to what is right, just, and good.
Paul demonstrates God's righteousness through his impartial judgement. Romans 2:11 declares that "God does not show favouritism," treating all people according to the same righteous standards. This impartiality reflects God's perfect justice—he cannot be bribed, manipulated, or swayed by external considerations. His judgements are always fair and consistent with his holy character.
The revelation of God's righteousness in the gospel shows how divine justice and mercy work together. Rather than compromising his standards, God maintains his righteousness while providing salvation for the unrighteous. This solution demonstrates both God's unwavering commitment to justice and his gracious desire to save sinners.
God's Sovereignty and Wisdom
Romans 9-11 presents perhaps Scripture's most detailed discussion of divine sovereignty, exploring how God's absolute control relates to human responsibility and historical events. Paul uses the metaphor of a potter and clay to illustrate God's sovereign authority: "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:21).
This sovereignty extends to salvation itself. Paul explains that God "has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Romans 9:18). These statements assert God's absolute freedom in granting or withholding salvation, showing that redemption depends entirely on divine grace rather than human merit or decision.
Paul concludes his discussion of sovereignty with a magnificent doxology: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33). This passage celebrates God's infinite wisdom in orchestrating redemption, showing that what appears as historical tragedy actually serves God's ultimate purposes of mercy.
God's Love and Faithfulness
While emphasising God's holiness and sovereignty, Romans also reveals his profound love and faithfulness. Paul declares that "God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This love is not mere sentiment but costly action that addresses humanity's greatest need.
Divine faithfulness appears throughout Romans, particularly in God's commitment to his promises. Despite Israel's disobedience, "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29). This faithfulness provides the foundation for Christian assurance and hope, demonstrating that God's character guarantees his promises.
Practical Implications
Paul's teaching about God's nature in Romans carries profound implications for Christian life and ministry.
Worship and Reverence
Understanding God's holiness and sovereignty should produce appropriate worship and reverence. Romans calls believers to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1). This worship flows from understanding who God is and what he has done.
God's transcendence prevents casual familiarity while his immanence prevents fearful distance. Believers can approach God with confidence because of Christ's work while maintaining appropriate reverence for his majesty.
Assurance and Hope
God's faithfulness provides the foundation for Christian assurance and hope. Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This confidence rests not on human performance but on God's unchanging character.
Understanding God's sovereignty also provides comfort in suffering and uncertainty. Romans 8:28 promises that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him," reflecting confidence in divine wisdom and power.
Evangelism and Ethics
God's universal concern and saving purpose motivate evangelism and missions. Romans reveals God's desire to save people from every nation, requiring gospel proclamation to all peoples. Understanding God's sovereignty encourages faithful witness while his love compels urgent action.
God's righteousness and justice provide the foundation for Christian ethics and social action. Because God cares about justice, believers must work for fair treatment of all people. Because God shows mercy, Christians must extend compassion to those in need.
Conclusion
Paul's teaching about God's nature in Romans provides essential foundations for Christian faith and practice. Through his exploration of divine attributes, Paul reveals God as perfectly holy yet graciously merciful, absolutely sovereign yet personally loving, transcendently mysterious yet clearly revealed through Scripture and creation.
Understanding God properly affects every aspect of Christian life, from worship and evangelism to ethics and hope. Paul's portrait challenges us to know God as he truly is rather than as we might prefer him to be. As we respond to this revelation, we discover that knowing God truly leads not to comfortable familiarity but to transforming encounter with the living God who saves sinners and transforms lives for his glory.
