According to works. Romans 2:6-10 V.6. Divine justice will prevail when God gives the sentence to a guilty sinner that is appropriate to his or her actions. This is not a contradiction of salvation by grace through faith but rather a proof of the reality of a profession of faith in Christ. The response of one who has faced their guilt with genuine repentance before God and has put their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be an ongoing commitment to doing that which brings glory and honor to our Lord. Those who honor Him, He will honor. Our eternal life will be filled with ways of doing good for our Lord, His people, and the work He has for us to do.
The Judge takes the bench, applying yet another principle to His righteous judgment of men. He already knows all the facts about every person who He will judge according to his deeds. People's works are all written in the books "according to their works." God does not desire a person to be damned but to come to repentance and faith in Christ. The choices in life we make have eternal consequences. Some obey the truth, and some choose to reject it.
V.7. Well-doing is not the means of salvation but describes those who have eternal life and are obedient to the light God has given them. People of faith have been documented in the scripture as examples of doing well. There have always been those who have chosen to commit themselves to God and want to live for Him and please Him by doing His will. Their response is that of a grateful heart that wants to do good.
The subject of this verse is judgment, not justification. Everyone will be called to give an account of what we say and do, both the good and bad. Even though believers are counted righteous (justified) because we have accepted Christ and His death on the cross on our behalf, there will be a time when we see what we have done here through God’s eyes. That is one reason why we should be zealous of good works.
V.8. There are others who are self-seeking and contentious people who will not obey the truth. They subject themselves to unrighteousness. There are many examples of those in the Bible, like Saul, who sacrificed in his own way rather than obeying God. "Wrath" is God's settled state of mind towards those who are willful and impenitent. "Indignation" is the outbreak of righteous wrath on those who reject God and His grace. Those people who are self-seeking, disobedient to God, and who resist and stand against the truth are contending against God.
Willful sin is quarreling with God, and disobeying the truth is standing against it. The wages of sin permanently separate those slaves to sin from God. The righteous sentence against those who defy Him will bring the consequences of just wrath on the guilty. Eternal tribulation and anguish in hell will be the portion of those who contend with God no matter who they are or what religion they may have.
V.9. “Tribulation” is the carrying out of God's holy vengeance when the wrath of the Righteous Judge hits the object of God's rejection. People may think their chosen life will leave them unscathed and able to do what they desire without interference. "Anguish" will be the real experience of the self-righteous, self-centered person who thought themselves above others and immune to the plan of God for them. They are members of the "I did it my way" group who will find their voice when calling for mercy when it is too late to find it.
V. 10. In the future, glory will be displayed in those who sought the Lord God and His way. That righteousness will be seen in public honor and peace as the Judge declares His holy satisfaction with those whose works of patient continuance bring glory to Him. The works of the contentious will be bringing to them wrath and indignation from the One who knows the intentions and deeds of every person.