Romans 2:15
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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Even without the written law, people show the effect of the law etched onto their hearts, evidenced by their conscience speaking alongside their inner thoughts that either condemn or justify them. This internal debate is powerful proof that a moral standard exists within everyone, a standard God will judge by.
Paul is arguing that everyone, whether they have God's written law or not, is accountable to God. He's just shown how those who never received the Law still demonstrate a sense of right and wrong in their actions. This verse explains how they do this, pointing to an inner moral compass that guides and judges their behavior.
Understand the original words
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.
bengelRomans 2:15: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"
Romans 2:15 . Ἐνδείκνυνται , they show ) [demonstrate] to themselves, to others, and, in some respects, to God Himself.— τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου , the work of the law ), the law itself, with its practical [active] operation. It is opposed to the letter, which is but an accident [not its essence].— γραπτὸν , written ),…
clarkeRomans 2:15: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"
Which show the work of the law - In acting according to justice, mercy, temperance, and truth, they show that the great object of the law, which was to bring men from injustice, cruelty, intemperance, and falsity, is accomplished so far in them: their conscience also bearing witness - that faculty of the soul, whe…
Even without the written law, people show the effect of the law etched onto their hearts, evidenced by their conscience speaking alongside their inner thoughts that either condemn or justify them. This internal debate is powerful proof that a moral standard exists within everyone, a standard God will judge by.
Paul is arguing that everyone, whether they have God's written law or not, is accountable to God. He's just shown how those who never received the Law still demonstrate a sense of right and wrong in their actions. This verse explains how they do this, pointing to an inner moral compass that guides and judges their behavior.
Paul is arguing that everyone, whether they have God's written law or not, is accountable to God. He's just shown how those who never received the Law still demonstrate a sense of right and wrong in their actions. This verse explains they do this, pointing to an inner moral compass that guides and judges their behavior.
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"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" — Even without the written law, people show the effect of the law etched onto their hearts, evidenced by their conscience speaking alongside their inner thoughts that either condemn or justify them.…
