Keraia
Romans 2

Romans 2:14

God’s Righteous Judgment · Romans 2:1–16
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Translations

Modern
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
Traditional
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:
Literal
For when Gentiles, not having the law, may do by nature the things of the law, these not having a law are a law to themselves,
Latin
Cum autem gentes, quæ legem non habent, naturaliter ea, quæ legis sunt, faciunt, ejusmodi legem non habentes, ipsi sibi sunt lex:

Original

Greek
English
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Notes

Romans 2:14–15

Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires: This fits with the idea that the law is written on their hearts (2:15), which points to the promise of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

Or Paul may be speaking about non-Christian Gentiles. These Gentiles know God’s basic moral law through their conscience. In this case, Paul shows that all people can be held responsible for basic moral standards, even without God’s written law.

Romans 1:18–3:20

Paul waits to explain righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until he first teaches about the sinfulness of all people. Both non-Jews and Jews are equally under the power of sin (1:18–32; 2:1–3:8). Because of this, both groups are in the same situation before God. No one can gain God’s favor by their own actions or obedience (3:9–20). All people need God’s saving action, not their own efforts.

Parallels

Psalm 75:1–10

Glossary

Bible Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Conscience Faith Hardness of Heart Letter to the Romans Sin

Topics

Conscience: General Scriptures Concerning Doer of the Word Gentiles without the Law Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Heart: Unclassified Scriptures Descriptive of the Seat of the Affections Human Nature Judgment: The General Law: General Scriptures Concerning The Heathen: God: Will Finally Judge The Heathen: Have: The Testimony of Conscience The Judgment of Heathen, by the Law of Conscience