Romans 2:14

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 also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 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: 15Which 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;) 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 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

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• the Gentilesἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484
• which haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• notμήmē · notG3361
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• by natureφύσιςphusis · natureG5449
• theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• unto themselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438

Cross-references for Romans 2:14

• Romans 2:12For 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 3:1What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
• Deuteronomy 4:7For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as Yhwh our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
• Psalms 147:19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
• Acts 14:16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
• Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Ephesians 2:12That 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 2:27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
• Romans 1:19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
• 1 Corinthians 11:14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
• Romans 1:32Who 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.

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

• Conscience
• Doer
• Gentiles
• God Continued...
• Heart
• Judgment
• Law

In the dictionaries

• Accuse
• Boast
• Continuance
• Doer
• Excuse
• Fall of man
• Forbearance
• Judgment, The final
• Law
• Resurrection of the dead

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