The verse is a tremendous surprise. We are graciously given salvation and not what we deserve—God’s wrath. The song Amazing Grace
spontaneously comes to mind. O, how amazingly good God is to us. And you, Jesus, had to go through the deepest hell for us sinners. How moving that you, Holy Spirit, assure us that our salvation is really true. Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that this glorious gift befalls us people.
Heinrich Vogel once wrote: whoever thinks he can smile at God’s wrath will never praise him eternally for his grace.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,