Romans 2:10
but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
In the previous verse, Paul described the consequences of doing evil. Now he describes the blessings that come from doing good.
When we truly do good, we are acting like Jesus and will receive glory similar to His. The good that we do and the glory we experience are all a result of being changed into Jesus’ likeness. This is the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives and is the reason He came to live within us.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18)
The word honor literally refers to the value or worth placed on something. When we do good our lives have value to God and He rewards us with honor and respect. There is no greater honor in this world than to be honored by God for doing good.
The peace that results from doing good is first a peaceful relationship with God and also a peace of mind that comes from that relationship. This peace is a tranquility and quietness of mind that goes beyond circumstances and even our own ability to understand it.
Just as God’s punishment of evil begins with the Jewish people, so does His blessing of goodness. In God’s spiritual economy, the Jewish people are still a privileged people, His chosen nation. So, when He blesses the good, He begins with Israel and proceeds from there to all other peoples.
