This isn’t anger directed particularly at people. Rather it is indignation at that which seeks to harm His children. The wrath of judgment is the necessary first step in the eradication of wickedness and evil in all its forms.
I think part of the problem we can have with this is that the Scriptures say that Abraham’s faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” Since Christ had not yet come, from our human/temporal perspective he had not been “made righteous.” Holy Spirit did not dwell in him. In our experience, he had not been justified.
Note here that Paul is saying he is less than the least of all saints because he is deeply grateful for the grace of God. He knows that without grace, his religious righteousness, which looked to be perfect to those around him, was worthless and had him just as hell bound as any other murderer.
Paul said some very confusing things in this passage. Things like:
“If somehow I may attain to the resurrection”
“Not that I have already grasped it all or become perfect”
“I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet”
A Religionist Finds the True Gospel There was once a religious zealot named Saul. He studied his religion under Gamaliel, the top teacher of the day. His credentials were many and included these, recorded in Philippians 3:4–6 (NASB 2020) 4 although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else…
The Power of Sin Paul said in Romans 7 that he does things he does not want to do. He says that if he does not want to do them, then it is no longer he who does it. He blames it on sin living in him. So, which is it? Is Paul the one…
