The text here speaks of those who are oriented not toward their own, but to God’s honour. It is they who will receive eternal life, while anger and wrath awaits others. Those who want to honour God persistently seek for glory and honor and immortality
(Romans 2:7). Paul uses three words that are also used for human pursuit on earth (glory among people, honour for yourself, and lasting fame). But here he uses them for an entirely different purpose, namely, doing good persistently (by patience in well-doing
). This is not a neutral statement about doing good things, but specifically about doing the good work
(singular in Greek) that consists in honouring God as the sovereign One, who must be praised forever. The motif for this good work is therefore a longing for the glory of the Lord (thereby sharing in his glory), for the honour of God (instead of the honour of people), and for immortality (because you know that righteous judgment equals death, Romans 1:32).1
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;