But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that your "hard and impenitent heart" isn't just passive; it's actively "storing up" wrath. This isn't about God randomly punishing, but about your own choices and stubbornness accumulating a debt that will be due on judgment day.
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building an argument against those who judge others for their sins while committing similar offenses themselves. He just asked them if they think they can escape God's judgment, pointing out the divine goodness that has been extended to them. Now, he warns that their hard, unrepentant hearts aren't being rewarded, but are instead accumulating divine wrath for the future.
What does it mean for your heart to be 'hard' and 'impenitent'? It's more than just stubbornness; it's a dangerous spiritual state.
Paul uses the terms 'hardness' (Greek: sklerotes) and 'impenitent' (Greek: ametanoētos) to describe a heart that is unresponsive to God.
When a heart is both hard and impenitent, it's not just passively resistant; it's actively choosing a path that leads away from God's grace.
You might not be trying to store up wrath, but Paul says your choices are creating a hidden reserve for a future day.
The imagery of 'storing up wrath' (Greek: thesaurizēs) is powerful. It’s like accumulating wealth, but instead of building a fortune, you're building a reserve of divine judgment.
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What does it mean that God's judgment will be 'revealed'? It's not arbitrary; it's a clear, just, and final display.
The ultimate destination for this stored wrath is 'the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.' This phrase highlights key aspects of God's final judgment:
This revelation assures us that God's final actions will be undeniably just, leaving no room for argument or excuse.
Understand the original words
sklēros · Greek Adjective
A state of moral stubbornness or resistance to God's truth, characterized by an unwillingness to change one's ways. It depicts a heart that is calloused and unresponsive to the conviction of the Spirit.
orgē · Greek Noun
The accumulation of future divine penalty due to sustained unrepentance. It represents the building up of consequences for sin that will be executed in full at the final judgment.
dikaiokrisia · Greek Noun
The final point of accountability when God will execute perfect justice and align all things with His moral order. It is the time when the hidden realities of men's hearts and actions are fully exposed.
apodidōmi · Greek Verb
A formal act of giving or paying back, often used in legal or judicial contexts to describe the distribution of rewards or penalties based on conduct.
ergon · Greek Noun
The deeds, actions, or labors performed by a person; in a biblical context, these are the manifestations of a person's inner character or faith.
This passage speaks of God storing up vengeance and retribution, mirroring the idea in Romans 2:5 of individuals storing up wrath for themselves. It emphasizes God's ultimate justice which will be revealed.
Psalm 50:21This psalm describes God's silence during sin, but promises that He will 'convict' and 'lay the sins before' the wicked. This connects to the 'revelation of the righteous judgment of God' in Romans 2:5, where hidden sins and judgments will be brought to light.
Proverbs 1:18This verse directly states that those who lie in wait for blood 'treasure up evil for themselves.' This parallels the concept in Romans 2:5 of accumulating wrath through one's actions and heart attitude.
James 5:3James warns the rich who have 'treasured up wealth' for themselves, stating that it will be a 'testimony against you' and 'devour your flesh.' This is a powerful echo of the 'treasuring up wrath' concept, showing how earthly possessions or actions can become the basis for future judgment.
2 Peter 3:7This verse speaks of the present heavens and earth being 'kept in store for fire,' which directly relates to the idea of wrath being 'stored up' for a future day of judgment, as described in Romans 2:5.
ellicottRomans 2:5: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"
(5) The one condition upon which the goodness of God will come into operation, you directly contravene. Instead of being penitent, you are impenitent, and therefore the load of wrath which you have been accumulating against yourself remains unremoved. It is only waiting for the day of judgment to discharge itself upon you. Treasures…
barnesRomans 2:5: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"
But after thy hardness - The word "after" here κατά kata means in respect to, or you act according to the direct tendency of a hard heart in treasuring up wrath. The word "hardness" is used to denote insensibility of mind. It properly means what is insensible to the touch, or on which no impression is made by contact, as a stone,…
The verse highlights that your "hard and impenitent heart" isn't just passive; it's actively "storing up" wrath. This isn't about God randomly punishing, but about your own choices and stubbornness accumulating a debt that will be due on judgment day.
Paul is building an argument against those who judge others for their sins while committing similar offenses themselves. He just asked them if they think they can escape God's judgment, pointing out the divine goodness that has been extended to them. Now, he warns that their hard, unrepentant hearts aren't being rewarded, but are instead accumulating divine wrath for the future.
Paul is building an argument against those who judge others for their sins while committing similar offenses themselves. He just asked them if they think they can escape God's judgment, pointing out the divine goodness that has been extended to them. Now, he warns that their hard, unrepentant hearts aren't being rewarded, but are instead accumulating divine wrath for the future.
"But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works:" — The verse highlights that your "hard and impenitent heart" isn't just passive; it's actively "storing up" wrath. This isn't about God randomly punishing, but about your own choices and stubbornness a…
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Last reviewed October 2026