Devine Scripture

Romans 2:14

What does Romans 2:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:14 means

Gentiles who do not have the Law sometimes act in ways the Law requires. When they instinctively do what is right, they demonstrate that morality is not limited to those with a written code. In such moments they are, in effect, a law to themselves—not inventing morality, but showing that God’s moral imprint reaches them. This does not mean Gentiles keep the Law perfectly, but that conscience and creational awareness can align with God’s standards. Their actions reveal accountability: right and wrong are not foreign concepts, and moral choices matter even without possession of the Mosaic Law.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

(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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

(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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For when the Gentiles without the law have a natural desire to do the things in the law, they are a law to themselves;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature those things that are of the law; these, having not the law, are a law to themselves.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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;

Context

Paul now illustrates how God’s impartiality functions for those without the Law. Verse 14 begins a parenthetical explanation (continued in verse 15) about Gentile conscience as evidence that God’s standard is not limited to Israel. This supports verses 12–13, which insisted that both those with and without the Law are accountable. Verse 16 will close the thought by returning to the day when God judges all, including the hidden springs of action, through Jesus Christ.

v.13for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified;

v.14This passage

v.15in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them);

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 3:1

    What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

  • Romans 1:19

    because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.

  • Romans 1:32

    who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.

  • Acts 14:16

    who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.

  • Acts 17:30

    The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

  • Ephesians 2:12

    that ye 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.

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