2:7a–8b

Paul wrote about two groups here. He talked about the first group in 2:7a–c and the second group in 2:8a–b. The first group are those who persist in doing good deeds. The second group are those who do evil deeds.

2:7a–c

To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life: This clause follows the Greek order. Normally in English, the phrase To those… would come after the phrase eternal life. Having this phrase first indicates that this group is who Paul wanted to talk about now.

Some languages cannot move this phrase like that. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Leave it in front and make it the topic in a natural way in your language. Then refer to this group with the pronoun “them.” For example:

About those who by perseverance in doing good seek, glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life to them

• Put it in its normal place. For example:

he will give eternal life to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality

If possible, indicate that it is the topic.

2:7a

by perseverance: Here the word perseverance refers to consistently persevering. These people continue to do good deeds for their whole lives. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by persistence (New International Version)
-or-
always continuing (New Century Version)
-or-
have persisted

doing good: The Greek phrase is literally “of good works.” It refers to deeds that honor God, help others and such. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

well-doing (English Standard Version)
-or-
behaving well

2:7b

seek glory, honor, and immortality: The Greek grammar indicates that this group of people sought these things at the same time that they were doing good (2:7a). The word seek indicates that glory, honor, and immortality are goals for doing good deeds. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

seeking after the glory and honor and immortality (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
with the goal of attaining glory, honor, and immortality
-or-
having the goal/desire of God giving them glory, honor, and immortality

glory: Here this word refers to the great and perfect life that these people will live. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

⌊very⌋ great situation/position/life

Also see glory, sense A3(b) in Key Biblical Terms.

honor: Here this word refers to respect. God will respect this group of people.

immortality: The Greek word means “not able to become bad or ruined or dead.” A person whose life is not able to become bad would live forever. But the focus of this word is that this life will never become bad in any way. Here are other ways to translate this word:

incorruptible life
-or-
life that is not able to become bad

2:7c

eternal life: This phrase refers to life that never ends. It implies life that will never become bad.

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