Darby Bible
Romans 2:14
14For 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;
Romans 2:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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:
- New International Version (NIV)(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
Context of Romans 2:14
12For as many as have sinned without law shall perish also without law; and as many as have sinned under law shall be judged by law, 13(for not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 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; 15who shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing themselves between themselves;) 16in [the] day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my glad tidings, by Jesus Christ.
Read all of Romans 2Romans 2:14 word by word
ὅταν γὰρ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ νόμον ἔχοντα φύσει τὰ τοῦ νόμου ποιῶσιν, οὗτοι νόμον μὴ ἔχοντες ἑαυτοῖς εἰσιν νόμος,Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Romans 2:14
- Romans 2:12For as many as have sinned without law shall perish also without law; and as many as have sinned under law shall be judged by law,
- Romans 3:1What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?
- Deuteronomy 4:7For what great nation is there that hath God near to them as Jehovah our God is in everything we call upon him for?
- Psalms 147:19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
- Acts 14:16who in the past generations suffered all the nations to go in their own ways,
- Acts 17:30God therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now enjoins men that they shall all everywhere repent,
- Ephesians 2:12that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
- Romans 2:27and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?
- Romans 1:19Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested [it] to them,
- 1 Corinthians 11:14Does not even nature itself teach you, that man, if he have long hair, it is a dishonour to him?
- Philippians 4:8For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things [are] true, whatsoever things [are] noble, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] amiable, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.
- Romans 1:32who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do [them].
Commentaries on Romans 2:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, etc. - Nor does it follow that the Gentiles who have not had a Divine revelation, shall either perish, because they had it not; or their unrighteous conduct pass unpunished, because not having this revelation might be considered as an excuse for their sins. Do by nature the things contained in the law - Do, without this Divine revelation, through that light which God imparts to every man, the things contained…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14For when - The apostle, in Romans 2:13, had stated a general principle, that the doers of the Law only can be justified, if justification is attempted by the Law. In this verse and the next, he proceeds to show that the same principle is applicable to the pagan; that though they have not the written Law of God, yet that they have sufficient knowledge of his will to take away every excuse for sin, and consequently that the course of reasoning by which he…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-15Gentiles, 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.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1513-15. 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 against iniquity, accusing or condemning…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 2:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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