For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is the intentional shift in language between the Gentiles and the Jews. Paul says Gentiles "shall also perish without law," but Jews "shall be judged by the law." This isn't just a stylistic choice; it highlights that while both face condemnation, the judgment for those with the written law will involve a more detailed and precise accounting of their transgressions against that specific standard.
For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case that everyone is accountable to God, Jew and Gentile alike. He's just argued that Gentiles, though lacking the written Law, are still accountable because they have a conscience that judges their actions. Now, he clarifies the principle of judgment: each group will be held responsible according to the light they've been given.
Ever wondered if God’s judgment is fair for people who never heard of the Bible? Paul unpacks how God handles justice for everyone, whether they have the written Law or not.
Paul makes it clear in this verse that God’s judgment isn't about whether you had the scrolls of the Old Testament. It's about your response to the light you were given.
Those Without Written Law
For anyone who sinned without the written Law (think of people in ancient times or even today who haven't encountered the Bible), their judgment will correspond to the light they did have. This isn't a free pass; it means they'll be judged by the unwritten law of conscience and the natural order God established. Their ignorance of the Mosaic Law doesn't excuse them, but it does define the standard by which they’ll be evaluated. They will 'perish without law,' meaning their condemnation isn't based on a law they never knew, but on their violation of the moral understanding God imprinted on their hearts.
Those Under Written Law
For those who lived under the Law (referring primarily to the Jews), their judgment will be based on that very Law. They had the revealed word of God, the Scriptures, and they will be held accountable for how they responded to it. They won't be judged by the standard of the unwritten law, but by the explicit commands and statutes God gave them.
Paul uses two different words to describe the outcome for those outside and inside the Law. Why the difference, and what does it tell us about God's justice?
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Paul carefully chooses his words to show how God’s justice operates impartially, yet distinctly, for different groups.
Perishing Without Law
When Paul says those who sinned 'without law shall also perish without law,' the word 'perish' (apolountai) speaks of a complete loss or destruction. It's the natural consequence of sin when there's no mitigating revelation of God's grace. Their path leads to destruction, and this outcome is directly tied to their rejection of the moral light they possessed—the law written on their hearts. The judgment here emphasizes the inevitable consequence of living apart from God's explicit covenant.
Judged By the Law
For those 'under the law,' Paul uses the word 'judged' (krithēsontai). This suggests a more detailed and specific evaluation. Because they had the Law, their judgment involves a scrutiny of their actions against that revealed standard. While 'judged' can imply condemnation, it also carries the sense of an accurate assessment. Their failure to uphold the Law means this detailed judgment will result in condemnation, but the process highlights their greater culpability due to their privileged access to God's Word.
Understand the original words
hamartanō · Greek Verb
A deviation from the divine standard; missing the mark of God's holiness in thought, word, or deed, resulting in a state of rebellion against the Creator.
nomos · Greek Noun
The divine revelation given to Israel through Moses, serving as both a moral mirror to expose human inability to achieve righteousness and as a regulatory standard for the covenant people.
This verse directly follows the idea that both Gentiles (without law) and Jews (under law) are sinners, stating that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' reinforcing that no one escapes God's judgment.
Galatians 3:10This passage echoes the judgment 'by the law' for those under it, highlighting that 'all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,' showing the inescapable consequence of failing to perfectly keep the Law.
Acts 17:30-31This passage speaks to God's judgment on those 'without law' by stating that 'the times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole world in righteousness,' indicating a future judgment based on available light.
James 2:12-13This passage connects to the principle of judgment, stating 'So speak and so do, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty,' emphasizing that the standard of judgment will reflect the knowledge and opportunity each person had.
Luke 12:48This verse from Jesus' teaching illustrates the principle of judgment being proportional to knowledge: 'Everyone to whom much was given, of him will much be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more,' which mirrors Paul's idea of judging both those under and without law according to their respective standards.
ellicottRomans 2:12: "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;"
(12) Jew and Gentile alike will be judged, each by the method proper to his case; the Jew by the written Law against which he has sinned, the Gentile by the unwritten law of conscience against which he too has sinned. The mere hearing of the Law will bring no exemption to the Jew; and, on the other hand, the Gentile, who, at the dictates of consc…
barnesRomans 2:12: "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;"
For - This is used to give a reason for what he had just said, or to show on what principles God would treat man, so as not to be a respecter of persons. As many - Whosoever. This includes all who have done it, and evidently has respect to the Gentile world. It is of the more importance to remark this, because he does not say that it is applicabl…
What's easy to miss here is the intentional shift in language between the Gentiles and the Jews. Paul says Gentiles "shall also perish without law," but Jews "shall be judged by the law." This isn't just a stylistic choice; it highlights that while both face condemnation, the judgment for those with the written law will involve a more detailed and precise accounting of their transgressions against that specific standard.
Paul is building his case that everyone is accountable to God, Jew and Gentile alike. He's just argued that Gentiles, though lacking the written Law, are still accountable because they have a conscience that judges their actions. Now, he clarifies the principle of judgment: each group will be held responsible according to the light they've been given.
Paul is building his case that everyone is accountable to God, Jew and Gentile alike. He's just argued that Gentiles, though lacking the written Law, are still accountable because they have a conscience that judges their actions. Now, he clarifies the principle of judgment: each group will be held responsible according to the light they've been given.
"For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." — What's easy to miss here is the intentional shift in language between the Gentiles and the Jews. Paul says Gentiles "shall also perish without law," but Jews "shall be judged by the law." This isn't…
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Last reviewed October 2026