Romans 2 7

Romans 2:7 kjv

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

Romans 2:7 nkjv

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Romans 2:7 niv

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

Romans 2:7 esv

to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;

Romans 2:7 nlt

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 7 Meaning

God grants eternal life to those whose lives are characterized by consistent perseverance in righteous living, demonstrating a genuine aspiration for divine glory, honor, and incorruptible existence as their ultimate reward from Him. This describes the path of true righteousness which God vindicates with the promise of eternal life.

Romans 2 7 Context

Romans 2:7 stands within Paul's discourse on divine judgment (Romans 1:18-3:20). After demonstrating the universal sinfulness of the Gentiles (Romans 1:18-32), Paul turns to expose the hypocrisy and culpability of those, especially Jews, who claim a moral or religious superiority but fail to live by their own standards (Romans 2:1-5). Verse 6 states God's impartial judgment: "He will render to each one according to his deeds." Romans 2:7 then elaborates on the positive side of this judgment – the reward for consistent righteousness, setting up the contrast with the judgment on persistent unrighteousness in Romans 2:8. This passage emphasizes that true judgment is not based on outward privilege (like being a Jew or possessing the Law) but on the consistent pattern of one's life and the desires of the heart. It sets the stage for Paul to ultimately demonstrate that no one (Jew or Gentile) can meet God's standard by their own works, thus creating the desperate need for God's righteousness through faith in Christ (Romans 3).

Romans 2 7 Word analysis

• to those who by perseverance:

  • "perseverance" (Greek: hypomonē): This word signifies not just patient waiting, but steadfast endurance, firmness, fortitude, and bearing up under pressure without wavering. It's an active, spiritual fortitude, continuing forward despite difficulties. It suggests a sustained commitment, not just sporadic acts. This endurance is not self-generated but often viewed as a work of the Holy Spirit in believers (Rom 5:3-4).

• in doing good:

  • "doing good" (Greek: ergou agathou): Ergou means 'work, deed, action,' implying active practice. Agathou means 'good, excellent, virtuous.' This isn't passive niceness but an active commitment to works that are morally right and beneficial in God's eyes. This is the fruit and outward manifestation of an inward spiritual state, a lifestyle marked by genuine righteousness, in contrast to superficial religious observance.

• seek for:

  • "seek for" (Greek: zētouein): This verb indicates an earnest pursuit, striving, or diligent investigation. It suggests a conscious and deliberate pursuit of something desired, indicating motivation and intentionality. It is not an accidental finding but an active and constant endeavor, reflecting where one's true desires lie.

• glory:

  • "glory" (Greek: doxan): Refers to splendor, renown, honor, majesty, or praise. In a divine context, it speaks of God's manifest presence or the esteem that comes from God. Here, it denotes the praise, commendation, or reputation that God bestows, a participation in God's own radiance, distinct from human applause. It speaks to the ultimate vindication and manifestation of God's character through His people.

• honor:

  • "honor" (Greek: timēn): Denotes value, respect, esteem, or dignity. It is the recognition of worth and dignity conferred by God Himself. This suggests being held in high regard and receiving a privileged status, aligning with God's view of one's actions.

• and immortality:

  • "immortality" (Greek: aphtharsian): Means incorruptibility, imperishability, deathlessness. It speaks of the freedom from decay, death, or disintegration. This points to a resurrected, imperishable body and an unending existence in God's presence, overcoming the effects of sin and the curse of death (1 Cor 15:53-54).

• eternal life;

  • "eternal life" (Greek: zōēn aiōnion): This refers not just to unending duration, but fundamentally to the quality of life pertaining to the aiōn (age or eternity). It is God's own life, shared with believers, characterized by intimacy with God and marked by an unending relationship and existence in His presence, free from the ravages of sin and death. It is the full culmination of God's salvation.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "by perseverance in doing good": This phrase describes the manner of life. It implies that genuine good deeds are not fleeting or forced but are characteristic of an enduring, sustained pattern of life despite adversity. This signifies an ongoing, active demonstration of spiritual transformation rather than mere occasional good acts or outward conformity. It speaks of internal motivation and consistent outward expression.
  • "seek for glory, honor, and immortality": This defines the motivation or object of the seeker’s pursuit. The truly righteous do not seek earthly acclaim, perishable riches, or transient power, but rather divine commendation (glory and honor from God) and an ultimate, imperishable existence (immortality). This distinguishes their pursuit from worldly ambitions and underlines their alignment with God's ultimate values and heavenly rewards. It also points to the true desire of a Spirit-led person.

Romans 2 7 Bonus section

The passage implicitly challenges the superficiality of religious performance without internal transformation. It suggests that genuine faith in God inevitably leads to a life characterized by consistent good works and a desire for divine commendation, rather than worldly gain. This understanding underscores that salvation, while a free gift, is not passive, but results in an active, persevering pursuit of God's will. It refutes the idea of a faith that saves without changing the life of the believer. The sequence of "glory, honor, and immortality" highlights an ascent: glory (recognition by God), honor (worth in His eyes), leading to immortality (everlasting communion and perfected existence with Him).

Romans 2 7 Commentary

Romans 2:7 profoundly clarifies what true righteousness looks like in God's eyes and what its ultimate consequence is. Paul isn't presenting salvation as a payment for works in isolation but rather describing the demonstrative outcome or characteristic mark of those whom God ultimately approves. Those who genuinely trust in God and live by His Spirit will naturally exhibit a life marked by consistent perseverance in doing good. This isn't merely a series of good deeds, but a sustained trajectory of life where moral rectitude is pursued and upheld despite opposition. Their aspiration is not for temporal rewards but for eternal commendation from God—divine glory and honor, culminating in an imperishable existence, eternal life itself. This serves as a vital contrast to both the self-righteousness of the Jews, who relied on the Law's possession rather than its observance, and the futility of pagan morality. The "works" described here are not a human achievement earning salvation, but the essential evidence and unfolding of a life that has already been truly turned to God. Eternal life is the divine recompense for such a life, which can only be lived through grace, activated by faith. It indicates that the path of faithful discipleship leads to the full inheritance of eternal life.