Paul wanted both Jewish and Gentile believers to know that God does not have favourites.  Neither group could claim exception from God's wrath against sin - either based on ignorance (Gentiles) or of 'family favour' (Jews).  Those who knew the law but failed to obey it were in no better position before God than those who did not know there was a law.  The argument is summarised in Romans 3:23: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

What is the meaning of, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life”?  This was written to repentant believers as a contrast to those who had stubborn and unrepentant hearts (Romans 2:5-6).  Paul affirms that all who are determined to practise a transformed lifestyle, demonstrate their repentance, God’s mercy and help.  If God's gift of eternal life were based on our totally consistent good behaviour, then nobody would be in heaven - because all have sinned (Romans 3:23).  It is by His grace alone that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).  So, those who have believed in Jesus and received salvation should not want to live in the old ways anymore.

Paul recognises human beings have a natural tendency to revert to sinful attitudes of heart, rejecting truth to promote self-seeking objectives – which Paul bluntly calls ‘evil’.  The Lord’s ‘wrath and anger’ is experienced in ‘trouble and distress’ both in this life and the next.  Personal and family sinful habits are hard to break, but with God’s help, repentant people find release and know His love.   In the Ten Commandments God wrote, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6)

A true belief in Christ is seen in their transformed mind-set leading to godly behaviour (Romans 12:1-2).  The evidence of our faith is in our actions, not our knowledge or our ancestry.  So do not look at where someone has come from, see where they are going to!  Their everyday life will show those who long for heaven and those who do not care.  Looking at ourselves, it is quite a challenge to contemplate!