works" means constancy in the performance of good works ; which is the meaning which our translation so well expresses. Glory, honour, and immortality, i. e. a glorious and honourable immortality, though the idea is much more forcibly expressed by the words as they stand in our version.
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, hut obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. Here the apostle describes the character and reward of the wicked. They are contentious and dis- obedient ; and their recompense is indignation and wrath. The sense of this verse is perfectly plain, although the construction in the original is not quite regular. The sentence, as connected with the preceding, would naturally be construed thus, 'But to the contentious (God will render) indignation and wrath.' As it stands it must be translated, < to the con- tentious indignation and wrath shall be rendered ;' which mode of con- struction is continued through the following verse. The phrase rendered those who are contentious, literally is those who are of contention ,• as * those who are of faith' means believers ; ' those who are of circumci- sion,' the circumcised, Acts 10 : 45. Gal. 3 : 7. Tit. 2:8; see Phil. 1 : 16, 17. The word for contention, and the corresponding verb, are used frequently in reference specially to contending with any one in the sense of resisting his authority. 1 Sara. 12: 14, 15, "and not rebel (Greek contend) against the commandment of the Lord ;" Deut. 21 : 20, " this our son is stubborn and rebellious (contentious), he will not obey our voice." So, in this case, the contentious are the rebellious; those who do not obey God or the truth. The truth, i. e. true religion, the true standard of moral and religious duty ; see ch. 1 : 18. £ut obey unright' eousness. Instead of obeying truth and holiness, they yield obedience to sin ; unrighteousness being obviously taken in a wide sense for all that is morally wrong. Indignation and wrath, i. e. the greatest wrath. The former of the Greek words here used expresses sudden or temporary pas- sion, and the latter more permanent anger ; or the former refers to the internal emotion, the latter to the outward expression of it. The words are here to be understood metonymically for the effects of indignation and wrath, that is, severe punishment. And this is explained in the next verse.
(9) Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, &c. Intensity, as is obvious, is expressed by the use of these nearly synony- mous words, tribulation and anguish. Every soul of man is a common biblical expression. The Greek and Hebrew words for soul are fami liarly used for person; * Let every soul,' i. e. every 'person,' ch. 13 : 1. To the Jew first and also the Gentile. It becomes now apparent that the apostle, in laying down these general principles of justice, by which the dealings of God are to be regulated, had the Jew specially in view. God, he says, will render to every man according to his works ; to the good eternal life, to the evil tribulation and anguish. And lest the every man should fail to arrest attention, Paul says expressly that the Jew aa.