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The notion of patient continuance is emphasised here, not only in opposition to the idea of intermittent moral efforts, but to indicate that there are great moral obstacles to be met on this path, and that a persistent love of goodness is needed to surmount them. The apostle says literally; perseverance in "good work." In verse 6 he had used the plural. He now comprehends this multiplicity of "works" in the profound principle which constitutes their unity — the permanent determination to realise goodness. What supports a man in this course is the good which he has constantly before him: "glory," an existence without defilement or weakness, resplendent throughout with the Divine brightness of holiness and power: "honour," the approbation of God which forms the eternal honour of its object: "incorruptibility," the absolute impossibility of any wound, interruption or end to this state of being. The "and" between the last two substantives, shows a certain degree of emotion; the accumulation of terms arises from the same cause. In all human conditions there are souls who contemplate the ideal here described, and which, ravished with its beauty, are elevated by it above every earthly ambition and the pursuit of sensual gratifications. These are the men who are represented under the figure of the merchant seeking goodly pearls. For such is the pearl of great price — "life eternal!" This last word, laden, as it were, with all Divine riches, denotes the realisation of the ideal just described; it worthily closes this magnificent proposition.

(Prof. Godet.)

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KJV: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

WEB: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;