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.”

To understand the verse in context, let’s examine the broader passage of Romans 2:12-16. In these verses, the apostle Paul addresses the Jews who boast in the law and emphasizes the impartiality of God’s judgment. He states that those who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law, while those without the law will be judged apart from the law.

Now, focusing on Romans 2:14 specifically, Paul is referring to the Gentiles who do not have the written Mosaic Law, which was given to the Jewish people. Despite not having the law, Paul acknowledges that the Gentiles often do things that align with the moral principles of the law. In other words, they exhibit a moral conscience that guides their actions, even though they are not formally instructed by the Mosaic Law.

The phrase “do by nature the things contained in the law” implies that the Gentiles, through their God-given conscience and innate understanding of right and wrong, often fulfill the moral requirements outlined in the law. They may not have the law written on stone tablets like the Jews, but they still demonstrate obedience to the principles contained within the law.

Paul continues by highlighting that these Gentiles, who do not possess the law, become “a law unto themselves.” This means that their adherence to moral principles, although not derived from the written law, serves as a kind of law within themselves. They have an inner sense of what is right and wrong, and they act accordingly. This recognition of natural law or conscience is an acknowledgment that God has revealed His moral standards to all people, not just the Jews who received the Mosaic Law.

It’s important to note that this passage does not suggest that the Gentiles can be saved or justified by their observance of natural law alone. In the subsequent verses, Paul goes on to emphasize that all-both Jews and Gentiles-have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. He explains that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe (Romans 3:22).

In summary, Romans 2:14 acknowledges that the Gentiles, despite not having the Mosaic Law, often act in accordance with its moral principles. They have an innate sense of right and wrong, which serves as a kind of law within themselves. However, this passage does not imply that observance of natural law alone can save a person, as salvation is attained through faith in Jesus Christ.