to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the "seeking" for glory, honor, and immortality isn't just a passive wish, but an active pursuit characterized by persistent, steady "well-doing." It’s not about a single act, but a sustained, faithful way of life that demonstrates a deep inner disposition.
to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is contrasting two groups of people and how God will judge them. He has just established that God judges impartially, and he's now moving into describing the outcome for those who do good versus those who do evil. This verse lays out the reward for the first group – those who consistently pursue righteousness and seek eternal glory.
Have you ever felt like you're doing good things, but not seeing the results you hoped for? This verse speaks directly to that.
Paul isn't talking about a single good deed or a fleeting moment of kindness. He uses the phrase 'patient continuance in well-doing' (or 'perseverance in good work' in the original Greek). This means a steady, persistent commitment to doing what is right, even when it's hard, even when you don't see immediate rewards, and even when facing opposition.
What are you truly seeking? The aims mentioned here are far grander than anything this world offers.
The verse lists three profound desires: glory, honor, and immortality. These aren't simply abstract concepts but describe the multifaceted nature of eternal life itself.
Ask a follow-up
Is salvation earned by works, or freely given? This verse offers a crucial perspective on God's response to our seeking.
The verse climaxes with God's promise: 'he will give eternal life.' This isn't presented as a human achievement that earns salvation, but as God's faithful response to those who are genuinely seeking Him through patient obedience.
Understand the original words
hypomonē · Greek Noun
The quality of steadfast endurance, remaining under pressure, or perseverance in remaining faithful to God despite obstacles.
doxa · Greek Noun
In this context, it refers to the intrinsic weight, splendor, and brilliance of God's character, or the recognition and exaltation that comes from God's presence.
timē · Greek Noun
The quality of being honored, respected, or held in high esteem; in a divine context, it refers to the status granted to believers as heirs of God.
zōē aiōnios · Greek Noun phrase
Refers to life that is not merely endless in duration, but qualitatively divine, set apart from the perishable nature of earthly existence, and centered in union with God.
This passage echoes Romans 2:7 by emphasizing that people will reap whatever they sow, highlighting the direct consequence of our actions and the importance of consistent good deeds for a positive outcome.
Matthew 25:34-40Jesus describes a future judgment where those who have shown kindness and acted righteously are rewarded with eternal life, paralleling Paul's theme of enduring good deeds leading to glory and honor.
Hebrews 10:36This verse directly speaks to the 'patient continuance in well-doing' by urging believers to persevere through trials so that they may receive what has been promised, linking steadfastness with the ultimate reward.
1 Timothy 6:17-19This passage encourages believers to do good works and be rich in good deeds, storing up a good foundation for the future, which aligns with seeking glory and honor through persistent well-doing as mentioned in Romans 2:7.
barnesRomans 2:7: "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"
To them - Whoever they may be. 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 doct…
meyerRomans 2:7: "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"
Romans 2:7 . To those, who by virtue of perseverance in morally-good work seek to obtain glory and honour and immortality, eternal life sc[611] ἀποδώσει . Consequently ΚΑΘʼ ὙΠΟΜ. ἜΡΓΟΥ ἈΓΑΘ. contains the standard, the regulative principle, by which the seeking after glory, honour, etc. is guided, and ἜΡΓΟΥ ἈΓΑΘΟῦ ,[612] which is not with Beza to be connected with ΔΌΞΑΝ , is th…
The verse highlights that the "seeking" for glory, honor, and immortality isn't just a passive wish, but an active pursuit characterized by persistent, steady "well-doing." It’s not about a single act, but a sustained, faithful way of life that demonstrates a deep inner disposition.
Paul is contrasting two groups of people and how God will judge them. He has just established that God judges impartially, and he's now moving into describing the outcome for those who do good versus those who do evil. This verse lays out the reward for the first group – those who consistently pursue righteousness and seek eternal glory.
Paul is contrasting two groups of people and how God will judge them. He has just established that God judges impartially, and he's now moving into describing the outcome for those who do good versus those who do evil. This verse lays out the reward for the first group – those who consistently pursue righteousness and seek eternal glory.
"to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;" — The verse highlights that the "seeking" for glory, honor, and immortality isn't just a passive wish, but an active pursuit characterized by persistent, steady "well-doing." It’s not about a single ac…
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Last reviewed October 2026