Romans 2:7

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

To them who by {G3303}{G2596} patient continuance {G5281} in well {G18} doing {G2041} seek {G2212} for glory {G1391} and {G2532} honour {G5092} and {G2532} immortality {G861}, eternal {G166} life {G2222}:

To those who seek glory, honor and immortality by perseverance in doing good, he will pay back eternal life.

To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.

to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:

Commentary on Romans 2:7 (KJV)

This verse is part of Paul's argument in Romans chapters 1 and 2 concerning God's righteous judgment upon all humanity, both those with the law and those without. He establishes that God judges according to truth and deeds, not hypocrisy or outward religious adherence. Verse 7 describes the character and destiny of those who will receive eternal life, contrasting them with those described in the following verse (Romans 2:8).

Key Themes

  • Patient Continuance: The phrase "patient continuance" emphasizes perseverance and endurance in doing good. It's not about sporadic acts but a sustained way of life. This highlights the importance of steadfastness in the Christian walk, a theme echoed throughout the New Testament.
  • Well Doing: This refers to living righteously and performing good deeds that align with God's will and character. Paul is describing a life marked by consistent obedience and moral uprightness.
  • Seeking Glory, Honour, and Immortality: Those who live this way are motivated by seeking eternal values – God's approval ("glory and honour") and incorruptible, everlasting life ("immortality"). Their ultimate pursuit is not worldly gain but the eternal reward and the imperishable nature of heaven. This contrasts with seeking temporary pleasures or human praise.
  • Eternal Life: The ultimate promise and reward for those who live a life characterized by patient perseverance in well doing, motivated by eternal desires. This is the state of being in right relationship with God forever.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "patient continuance" translates the Greek word hupomonē (ὑπομονή), which carries the sense of steadfastness, endurance, or patient waiting, especially under trial or difficulty. "Well doing" comes from agathos ergon (ἀγαθοῦ ἔργου), referring to good works or righteous deeds. "Immortality" is aphtharsia (ἀφθαρσία), meaning incorruptibility, imperishability, or immortality, signifying a state free from decay and death.

Reflection and Application

Romans 2:7 does not suggest that salvation is earned purely by human effort or good works in isolation from faith. The broader context of Romans emphasizes salvation by grace through faith (see Romans 3:28; compare Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, this verse describes the *kind of life* that flows from genuine faith and is the evidence of a heart truly seeking God. Those who are genuinely saved will demonstrate this patient endurance in righteous living, seeking God's eternal approval above all else.

This verse encourages believers to persevere in doing good, even when it is difficult, knowing that their ultimate reward is eternal life with God. It calls us to align our desires with God's – seeking His glory and the promise of incorruptible life, which motivates faithful obedience and perseverance in the Christian life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

  • 2 Timothy 4:8

    Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

  • Luke 8:15

    But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.

  • 2 Timothy 1:10

    But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Revelation 2:11

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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