Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.
Parallel translations
- 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,
- 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:
- 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.
- 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,
- NASB For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When Gentiles without the law instinctively do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves. God's moral standard is written on the human conscience.
Overview
Paul observes that Gentiles, though lacking the Mosaic law, sometimes do what it requires 'by nature,' showing they have an inner sense of God's moral demands. This is evidence of the moral law written on the heart. It does not mean Gentiles keep the law perfectly or earn salvation, but that they have enough moral knowledge to be accountable and without excuse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Rom 1:19–20because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
- Rom 2:12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
- Rom 2:27Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?
- Acts 17:30The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
- Eph 2:12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
- Ps 147:19–20He shows his word to Jacob; his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
- Acts 10:35but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
- Rom 3:1–2Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?
- Rom 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
- Deut 4:7For what great nation is there, that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is whenever we call on him?
- Acts 14:16who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
- 1 Cor 11:14Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 2:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.