Romans 2:7

to them who by patient continuance, &c. More lit., to those who according to patience of (i.e. in) a good work seek, &c.; i.e., who, in that method, by that path, seek for eternal bliss. "Patience" here, as often in N. T., practically means active patience, perseverance. (Cp. Luke 8:15; Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 12:1). "Work" is here, as often, used in the singular as a summary of the Christian's whole course of obedience.

It is very remarkable to find here, in the first pages of this great Treatise on Gratuitous Salvation, the distinct mention of the blessed result of "good work." (See specially, by way of contrast, Romans 4:2; Romans 4:6; Romans 11:6; and also Ephesians 2:9-10.) It must be remembered that St Paul expressly teaches that man's knowledge and love of God in this life, and by consequence its practical results, are as much His gift, a gift perfectly free and special, as is the bliss of the life to come; and that the two are inseparably connected. Divine mercy gives the "patient continuance in well-doing" as well as the "glory, honour, and immortality." It is most true that the just freedom of Scripture language frequently leaves this connexion out of explicitstatement; but this whole Epistle tends to remind us that it is among the very foundations of truth.

seek As a traveller on his homeward road seeks for (aims at, moves toward) his home. Cp. Hebrews 13:14.

glory The heavenly state, on its side of exaltation; the dignityof the vision and the likeness of God. See ch. Romans 5:2 for its deep connexion with His presence: it is "the glory of God."

honour Often associated with "glory." See 1 Peter 1:7 for an instructive parallel. St Paul here speaks of "perseverance in good works;" St Peter there of the "fiery trial" of faith; both as preliminary to the Master's welcome.

immortality Lit. incorruptibility. Same word as 1 Corinthians 15:42; 1 Corinthians 15:50; 2 Timothy 1:10. (E. V., "immortality.") It indicates perpetuity not merely of existence but of purity and power, the immortality of heaven. See further, next note.

eternal life On these two most weighty words we can only summarize thus. (1) "Life," beyond question, may, and very often does, mean more than bare existence. A "lifeless" tree, or body, yet exists, though in another state than before. In regard of spirituallife, it is clear that existence may be strong and conscious where there is no such "life." See John 6:53; Ephesians 2:1. Existence, to be in this sense "life," must contain happiness and holiness, whether in the germ (as here), or in maturity (as hereafter). (2) "Eternal." Much has been written on the Greek of this word; aionios. But its connexion with duration, in derivation and usage, is certain. For N. T. usage in this respect, see e.g. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. And it is equally clear that its ruling idea is duration unending in respect of the period referred to. If used e. g. with regard to the present world, or a human lifetime, it naturally means unending while that world, or lifetime, lasts. When applied to the unseen and ultimate world, it appears equally naturally to mean unending while that world lasts. "Everlasting" is thus no arbitrary equivalent for it, for both words have much the same consistent elasticity of meaning.