Romans 2:8: But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,.
God will bestow eternal life on those who by persistence in doing good seek (pres. tense, “keep on seeking”) glory, honor, and immortality. On the other hand wrath and anger will be the portion of the self-seeking … who reject (lit., “keep on disobeying”) the truth and follow (pres. tense, “keep on obeying”) evil (cf. 1:18). 1
As Paul turns to those who do not seek the things of God, he uses the word But to introduce the contrast. The word translated self-seeking is not common; in the New Testament it occurs five times in Paul, twice in James, and nowhere else. Its meaning is disputed. Traditionally it has been held to mean “factious”, but in recent times “selfishness” and the like have many supporters.There does seem to be an attitude of self-centeredness about it, perhaps coupled with a contentious spirit. 2
Application
- To obey part of the truth is to be totally disobedient. “A baseball is either fair or foul.”
- Wrath will never be your reward if you are obedient to the truth. Blessing will be yours instead. What keeps you from living “in the truth” – all the time?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for my compromising choices. Help me to live only in the truth.
1. Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
2. Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.