Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Romans 2:7 in other translations
| BSB | To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. |
|---|---|
| WEB | to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; |
| ASV | to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: |
| YLT | to those, indeed, who in continuance of a good work, do seek glory, and honour, and incorruptibility--life age-during; |
| DARBY | to them who, in patient continuance of good works, seek for glory and honour and incorruptibility, life eternal. |
| BBE | To those who go on with good works in the hope of glory and honour and salvation from death, he will give eternal life: |
| Webster | To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life: |
What does Romans 2:7 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:7-10
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Patient continuance. Who by perseverance in well doing, or in a good work. It means, that they who so continue or persevere in good works as to evince that they are disposed to obey the law of God. It does not mean those who perform one single act, but those who so live as to show that this is their character to obey God. It is the uniform doctrine of the Bible, that none will be saved but those who persevere in a life of holiness, Rev 5:10, Mt 10:22, Heb 10:38,39. No other conduct gives evidence of piety but that which continues in the ways of righteousness. Nor has God ever promised eternal life to men unless they so persevere in a life of holiness as to show that this is their character, their settled and firm rule of action. The words well doing here denote such conduct as shall be conformed to the law of God; not merely external conduct, but that which proceeds from a heart attached to God and his cause.
Seek for. This word properly denotes the act of endeavouring to find anything that is lost, Mt 18:12, Lk 2:48,49. But it also denotes the act when one earnestly strives, or desires to obtain anything; when he puts forth his efforts to accomplish it. Thus, Mt 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," etc. Acts 16:10, 1Cor 10:24 Lk 13:24. In this place it denotes an earnest and intense desire to obtain eternal life. It does not mean simply the desire of a sinner to be happy, or the efforts of those who are not willing to forsake their sins and yield to God, but the intense effort of those who are willing to forsake all their crimes, and submit to God and obey his laws.
Glory and honour and immortality. The three words used here denote the happiness of the heavenly world. They vary somewhat in their meaning, and are each descriptive of something in heaven, that renders it an object of intense desire. The expressions are cumulative, or they are designed to express the happiness of heaven in the highest possible degree. The word glory δοξαν denotes, properly, praise, celebrity, or anything distinguished for beauty, ornament, majesty, splendour, as of the sun, etc.; and then it is used to denote the highest happiness or felicity, as expressing everything that shall be splendid, rich, and grand. It denotes that there will be an absence of everything mean, grovelling, obscure. The word honour (τιμην) implies rather the idea of reward, or just retribution--the honour and reward which shall be conferred in heaven on the friends of God. It stands opposed to contempt, poverty, and want among men. Here they are despised by men; there they shall be honoured by God.
Immortality. That which is not corruptible, or subject to decay. It is applied to heaven as a state where there shall be no decay or death, in strong contrast with our present condition, where all things are corruptible, and soon vanish away. These expressions are undoubtedly descriptive of a state of things beyond the grave. They are never applied in the Scriptures to any condition of things on the earth. This consideration proves, therefore, that the expressions in the next verse; indignation, etc., apply to the punishment of the wicked beyond the grave.
Eternal life. That is, God will "render" eternal life to those who seek it in this manner. This is a great principle; and this shows that the apostle means by "their deeds," (Rom 2:6,) not merely their external conduct, but their inward thoughts, and efforts evinced by their seeking for glory, etc. For the meaning of the expression "eternal life," Jn 5:24.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 2:1-16
The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God…
Romans 2:7 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 2:7
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
- 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 2:10-11
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. 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.
- 1 Peter 1:7-8
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
- Hebrews 10:35-36
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
- Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- James 5:7-8
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
- Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:24,25; Job 17:9; Ps 27:14; 37:3,34; La 3:25,26; Mt 24:12,13
Lu 8:15; Joh 6:66-69; 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9; 2Ti 4:7,8; Heb 6:12,15
Heb 10:35,36; Jas 5:7,8; Re 2:10,11
glory.
8:18; 9:23; Joh 5:44; 2Co 4:16-18; Col 1:27; 1Pe 1:7,8; 4:13,14
immortality.
1Co 15:53,54; 2Ti 1:10
eternal.
6:23; 1Jo 2:25
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 2:6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
- Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
- Romans 2:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Romans 2:7 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | A los que perseverando en bien hacer, buscan gloria y honra é inmortalidad, la vida eterna. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | à ceux qui, en persévérant dans les bonnes œuvres, cherchent la gloire et l’honneur et l’incorruptibilité, – la vie éternelle; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | denen, die mit Ausharren in gutem Werke Herrlichkeit und Ehre und Unverweslichkeit suchen, ewiges Leben; |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | iis quidem qui secundum patientiam boni operis, gloriam, et honorem, et incorruptionem quærunt, vitam æternam: |