Romans 2:7

Patient continuance. Gr. hupomone, “patience,” “perseverance,” “steadfast endurance.” Paul is not speaking of a passive resignation but of an active endurance.

In well doing. Literally, “of good work.” The whole phrase might be translated “perseverance in good work.” The Bible does not teach that God will give eternal life to those who occasionally perform good deeds. He gives it to those who so continue and persevere in well-doing that it becomes evident that it is their way of life to obey God (see Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:10).

Seek. Gr. zeted, which may denote earnest striving, as in “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33). Compare “We endeavoured to go into Macedonia” (Acts 16:10). The same verb is used in these passages. It is not sufficient simply to have a desire for eternal life. “It is not possible for us to drift into heaven. No sluggard can enter there. If we do not strive to gain an entrance into the kingdom, if we do not seek earnestly to learn what constitutes its laws, we are not fitted for a part in it” (COL 280).

Glory and honour and immortality. These are bestowed at the time of the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:42, 43; cf. 1 Peter 1:4–7). In his original sinless state man was crowned “with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:7). All this will be restored to those who perseveringly “seek” for it.

Eternal life. Grammatically, as the Greek clearly indicates, this phrase is connected with the clause “who will render” (v. 6) thus: “who will render eternal life to those,” etc. God will render eternal life to those who seek for it in the prescribed manner.