Romans 2:14-15
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The crucial insight here is that the text emphasizes the Gentiles' innate capacity to discern right from wrong, not just intellectually, but in action. Even without the written law, their "nature" prompts them to do what aligns with moral principles, making them their own rule of life, which is a profound testament to God's imprint on every human heart.
Paul is arguing that simply having the Jewish Law isn't enough for justification; one must do what the Law commands. He's contrasting Jews, who have the written Law, with Gentiles, who don't. This verse explains that even without the written Law, Gentiles can, by their natural conscience and innate sense of right and wrong, act in ways that align with the Law's moral commands.
How can people who've never read the Ten Commandments 'do what the law requires'? Paul says they have a law written on their hearts.
Paul is making a crucial point here: God hasn't left anyone completely in the dark. Even without the specific, written Law given to Israel, Gentiles possess an inner sense of right and wrong – what the commentaries call the 'law of nature' or 'preconceptions of justice'.
What happens when this inner law is put to the test? Paul points to our conscience and our thoughts as the evidence.
Paul doesn't just say Gentiles have an inner law; he explains how it functions. Our conscience and our reasoning are the tools God uses to make this inner law known and active.
Understand the original words
ethnos · Greek Noun
People who are not part of the covenant nation of Israel; biblically, it refers to all humanity outside the Jewish lineage, yet all are included in the promise of the Gospel.
physis · Greek Noun
The innate character or essential qualities of a person, often used in Scripture to describe the condition of humanity apart from the direct revelation of the Mosaic Law.
syneidēsis · Greek Noun
The inner moral faculty of a human being that evaluates actions and motives; it serves as a built-in witness to the moral law written on the heart, prompting feelings of guilt or approval.
This passage speaks of a 'universal testimony' of creation that declares God's glory, much like Romans 2:14 suggests an inward law accessible to all humanity, regardless of specific divine revelation.
Jeremiah 31:33This verse describes God's New Covenant promise to write His laws on His people's hearts, echoing the concept in Romans 2:14-15 of an internal law and conscience guiding people.
Acts 17:24-28Paul's sermon in Athens highlights how God is not far from anyone and that humanity can seek and find Him, aligning with the idea that even Gentiles have a natural awareness of God and right conduct.
1 Corinthians 11:13-14Paul questions the propriety of women praying uncovered, appealing to nature itself as a teacher, which supports the idea that 'nature' can inform our sense of what is fitting or right.
ellicottRomans 2:14: "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:"
(14) A sort of parenthesis begins here. Romans 2:16 refers back to the main subject of the paragraph, and not to the particular point on which the Apostle digresses in Romans 2:14-15 , the virtual operation of law among the Gentiles as well as Jews. By nature.—Spontaneously; of their own motion; not acting under the coercion of any ext…
bensonRomans 2:14: "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:"
Romans 2:14-15 . For when the Gentiles — That is, any of them who have not the law — Not a written revelation of the divine will; do by nature — That is, by the light of nature, without an outward rule, or by the untaught dictates of their own minds, influenced, however, by the preventing grace of God, which hath appeared to all men, T…
The crucial insight here is that the text emphasizes the Gentiles' innate capacity to discern right from wrong, not just intellectually, but in action. Even without the written law, their "nature" prompts them to do what aligns with moral principles, making them their own rule of life, which is a profound testament to God's imprint on every human heart.
Paul is arguing that simply having the Jewish Law isn't enough for justification; one must do what the Law commands. He's contrasting Jews, who have the written Law, with Gentiles, who don't. This verse explains that even without the written Law, Gentiles can, by their natural conscience and innate sense of right and wrong, act in ways that align with the Law's moral commands.
Paul is arguing that simply having the Jewish Law isn't enough for justification; one must what the Law commands. He's contrasting Jews, who have the written Law, with Gentiles, who don't. This verse explains that even without the written Law, Gentiles can, by their natural conscience and innate sense of right and wrong, act in ways that align with the Law's moral commands.
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"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also…" — The crucial insight here is that the text emphasizes the Gentiles' innate capacity to discern right from wrong, not just intellectually, but in action. Even without the written law, their "nature" pr…
