Romans 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 in other translations
| BSB | 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. |
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| WEB | (for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, |
| ASV | (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves; |
| YLT | For, when nations that have not a law, by nature may do the things of the law, these not having a law--to themselves are a law; |
| DARBY | For when those of the nations, which have no law, practise by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves; |
| BBE | For when the Gentiles without the law have a natural desire to do the things in the law, they are a law to themselves; |
| Webster | For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law to themselves. |
What does Romans 2:14 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:13-15
13-15. For not the hearers, &c.--As touching the Jews, in whose ears the written law is continually resounding, the condemnation of as many of them as are found sinners at the last involves no difficulty; but even as respects the heathen, who are strangers to the law in its positive and written form--since they show how deeply it is engraven on their moral nature, which witnesses within them for righteousness and…
Barnes' Notes
The Gentiles. All who were not Jews.
Which have not the law. Who have not a revelation, or the written word of God. In the Greek the article is omitted, "who have not law," i.e., any revealed law.
By nature. By some, this phrase has been supposed to belong to the previous member of the sentence, "who have not the law by nature." But our translation is the more natural and usual construction. The expression means clearly by the light of conscience and reason, and whatever other helps they may have without revelation. It denotes simply, in that state which is without the revealed will of God. In that condition they had many helps of tradition, conscience, reason, and the observation of the dealings of Divine Providence, so that to a considerable extent they knew what was right and what was wrong.
Do the things. Should they not merely understand and approve, but actually perform the things required in the law.
Contained in the law. Literally, the things of the law, i.e. the things which the law requires. Many of those things might be done by the heathen, as, e.g., respect to parents, truth, justice, honesty, chastity. So far as they did any of those things, so far they showed that they had a law among themselves. And wherein they failed in these things, they showed that they were justly condemned.
Are a law unto themselves. This is explained in the following verse. It means that their own reason and conscience constituted, in these things, a law, or prescribed that for them which the revealed law did to the Jews.
(w) "a law unto" 1Cor 11:14
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 2:1-16
The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God…
Romans 2:14 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Romans 2:14
- Romans 1:19-20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
- Romans 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;
- Romans 2:27
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
- Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
- Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
- Psalms 147:19-20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.
- Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
- Romans 3:1-2
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
- Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- Deuteronomy 4:7
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
- Acts 14:16
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
- 1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
- Romans 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 2:15
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 2:14 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Porque los Gentiles que no tienen ley, naturalmente haciendo lo que es de la ley, los tales, aunque no tengan ley, ellos son ley á sí mismos: |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | car quand les nations qui n’ont point de loi, font naturellement les choses de la loi, n’ayant pas de loi, elles sont loi à elles-mêmes, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn wenn Nationen, die kein Gesetz haben, von Natur die Dinge des Gesetzes ausüben, so sind diese, die kein Gesetz haben, sich selbst ein Gesetz, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Cum autem gentes, quæ legem non habent, naturaliter ea, quæ legis sunt, faciunt, ejusmodi legem non habentes, ipsi sibi sunt lex: |