Romans 2:6-11
6 “who will repay each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life; 8 but to those who are self-serving and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of mankind who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek, 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.”
At first glance Paul seems to be saying that we can obtain eternal life through performing good works. But it is important to remember his overall argument: Nobody can perform good works according to the standard of the law. In theory if someone could then, yes, eternal life would be achieved. But this is impossible because of sin. God has no partiality to this end. This language would have been especially offensive to the Jews because of their heritage and history with God. But Paul is setting all of this history aside as it relates to salvation. Jew and Gentile who fail to perform according to the standard of the law will face tribulation.
