Romans 2:14

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} when {G3752} the Gentiles {G1484}, which {G3588} have {G2192} not {G3361} the law {G3551}, do {G4160} by nature {G5449} the things {G3588} contained in the law {G3551}, these {G3778}, having {G2192} not {G3361} the law {G3551}, are {G1526} a law {G3551} unto themselves {G1438}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For whenever Gentiles, who have no Torah, do naturally what the Torah requires, then these, even though they don’t have Torah, for themselves are Torah!

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

(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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 2:14 explains that even Gentiles, who did not receive the Mosaic Law, instinctively demonstrate an understanding of its moral principles through their actions. By following an innate moral sense, they effectively become "a law unto themselves," revealing that God's moral requirements are not entirely foreign to humanity and establishing a basis for their accountability before Him, irrespective of their lack of written revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of Paul's intricate argument in [Romans 1](/romans/1 "Romans 1 - God's Wrath Against Sin") and [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Righteous Judgment") concerning the universal need for God's righteousness. Having established in [Romans 1:18-32](/romans/1-18-32 "Romans 1:18-32 - The Depravity of Humanity") that Gentiles are without excuse because they suppressed the truth revealed through creation, Paul now turns his attention to the Jews who possess the Law. He confronts their hypocrisy in [Romans 2:1-5](/romans/2-1-5 "Romans 2:1-5 - God's Impartial Judgment"), arguing that God's judgment is impartial and based on deeds, not merely on the possession of the Law. Romans 2:14-16 then serves to demonstrate *how* Gentiles, despite not having the Mosaic Law, are still morally accountable. It sets the stage for Paul's overarching conclusion in [Romans 3:9-20](/romans/3-9-20 "Romans 3:9-20 - All Under Sin") that both Jews and Gentiles are "under sin," thus necessitating salvation through faith in Christ alone.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. In the ancient world, the Mosaic Law was a distinguishing mark of the Jewish people, setting them apart from all other nations. Jews often viewed their possession of the Law as a unique privilege and a guarantee of their righteousness before God. Gentiles, on the other hand, had no such written divine revelation. Their moral frameworks were derived from cultural traditions, philosophical schools (like Stoicism, which posited a universal rational principle or "natural law"), or innate human conscience. Paul's argument here challenges the Jewish assumption of inherent superiority based on the Law, while simultaneously affirming God's just judgment over all humanity. He bridges the gap between those with explicit revelation and those without, demonstrating a universal moral standard inherent in God's creation and human nature.

* **Key Themes:** Romans 2:14 contributes significantly to several major theological themes in Paul's letter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Natural Law or Innate Morality**, suggesting that God has inscribed fundamental moral understanding onto the human heart, accessible even without written scripture. This is further elaborated in [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Romans 2:15 - Conscience as a Witness"), where Paul explicitly mentions the role of conscience. Secondly, it establishes **Gentile Accountability** before God; they are not judged by a Law they never received, but by the moral standard they instinctively knew and failed to uphold. This theme is crucial for Paul's broader argument that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Lastly, the verse highlights **God's Impartial Judgment**, a central tenet of [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Impartial Judgment"). God judges both Jew and Gentile fairly, according to the light and knowledge they have received, demonstrating His universal justice and righteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gentiles (Greek, _éthnos_):** This term refers to "a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)." In the context of Romans, it specifically denotes those who are not part of the Jewish covenant people, and by extension, often refers to the uncircumcised or non-Israelite nations. Paul's use here emphasizes their distinction from those who possessed the Mosaic Law.
* **nature (Greek, _phýsis_):** Derived from a word meaning "growth," _phýsis_ signifies "natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage." In this verse, it points to an inherent, inborn quality or disposition, suggesting that the Gentiles' actions are not learned from an external written code but spring from an intrinsic moral awareness or constitution.
* **law (Greek, _nómos_):** From a primary root meaning "to parcel out," _nómos_ refers to "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)." Here, it is used in two senses: first, referring to the Mosaic Law (which Gentiles "have not"), and second, figuratively, to the internal moral standard or principle by which they govern themselves ("a law unto themselves").
* **themselves (Greek, _heautoû_):** This reflexive pronoun means "him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc." In this context, "unto themselves" underscores the internal, self-referential nature of the moral standard by which the Gentiles operate, implying that the standard is intrinsically known and applied by them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law,"**: Paul begins by identifying the subjects of his statement: the _éthnos_, or Gentiles. He immediately clarifies their defining characteristic in this theological discussion: they "have not the law" (_mḗ echō nómon_), specifically referring to the Mosaic Law, the written revelation given to Israel. This sets up the apparent paradox that the rest of the verse will resolve.
* **"do by nature the things contained in the law,"**: Despite not possessing the written Law, these Gentiles "do by nature" (_phýsei poiōsin_) the very "things contained in the law" (_tà toû nómou_). The phrase "by nature" is crucial, indicating an innate, inborn moral sense or disposition, rather than adherence to an external code. The "things contained in the law" refer to the moral principles and ethical demands that are part of God's revealed will, such as prohibitions against murder, theft, and adultery, or commands to honor parents. This clause asserts that Gentiles, by their natural moral constitution, often perform actions that align with God's moral standard, even without knowing the specific Mosaic commandments.
* **"these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:"**: This concluding clause draws the logical consequence of the preceding statement. "These" (referring back to the Gentiles) "having not the law" (reiterating their lack of the Mosaic code) "are a law unto themselves" (_heautoîs eisin nómos_). This powerful statement means that their own actions, guided by their innate moral sense and conscience, function as a self-imposed standard or principle. It is not that they *create* the law, but that their inherent moral capacity and the subsequent witness of their conscience (as explained in [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Romans 2:15 - The Witness of Conscience")) serve as a functional "law" for them, demonstrating that God's moral requirements are not entirely alien or unknowable to them.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [Romans 2:14](/romans/2-14 "Romans 2:14 - Gentiles a Law Unto Themselves") to construct his argument. The primary device is **Paradox**, as he presents the seemingly contradictory idea that those "who have not the law" can nonetheless "be a law unto themselves." This paradox highlights the universality of God's moral standard beyond specific written revelation. Closely related is **Antithesis**, by implicitly contrasting the Gentiles (who lack the Mosaic Law) with the Jews (who possess it), thereby setting up his broader argument for universal sinfulness and God's impartial judgment. Furthermore, the verse is a prime example of Paul's **Rhetorical Argumentation**, where he systematically builds a logical case. He introduces a premise (Gentiles lack the Law), observes a phenomenon (they do by nature what the Law requires), and then draws a conclusion (they are a law unto themselves), all designed to dismantle human self-righteousness and pave the way for the necessity of salvation through faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 2:14 profoundly impacts our understanding of God's justice and human accountability. It reveals that God's moral standard is not arbitrary or limited to a select group but is universally accessible, at least in its foundational principles, through creation and the innate human conscience. This concept, often referred to as "natural law," means that no human being is entirely without knowledge of God's basic moral expectations. Consequently, all humanity, whether Jew or Gentile, is accountable before God, not based on their adherence to a specific written code they may not possess, but on their failure to live up to the moral light they *do* have. This foundational truth underscores the impartiality of God's judgment and the universal need for redemption, as even this inherent moral sense cannot be perfectly fulfilled by fallen humanity.

* [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "Romans 1:19-20 - God's Invisible Attributes Revealed in Creation")
* [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Romans 2:15 - Conscience Bearing Witness")
* [Acts 17:28-29](/acts/17-28-29 "Acts 17:28-29 - God's Immanence and Human Accountability")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights for both our understanding of God and ourselves. It reminds us that God's moral law is not just an external set of rules but is, in a fundamental sense, woven into the fabric of creation and human nature. This means that every person, regardless of their religious background or access to scripture, possesses an internal moral compass that bears witness to God's standards. For believers, this should foster a deeper appreciation for God's justice and His consistent character, knowing that He judges all fairly according to the light they have received. It also highlights the pervasive impact of sin, demonstrating that even with an innate moral sense, humanity consistently falls short, proving our desperate need for God's grace. For evangelism, it provides a common ground: we can appeal to the universal human experience of guilt, conscience, and the longing for justice, pointing to the fact that these are echoes of God's law within us, ultimately leading to the good news of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and offers forgiveness for our failure to do so.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of Gentiles being "a law unto themselves" affirm God's justice in judging all humanity?**
* **In what ways does your own conscience bear witness to God's moral standards, even apart from explicit biblical commands?**
* **If humanity has an innate moral sense, why is the written Law (and ultimately Christ) still necessary?**
* **How might understanding this verse impact the way you share the Gospel with those who have no knowledge of the Bible?**

### FAQ

**What exactly does "a law unto themselves" mean for the Gentiles?**

Answer: It means that even without the written Mosaic Law, Gentiles possess an inherent moral understanding and a conscience that functions as an internal standard for their conduct. When they "do by nature the things contained in the law," it demonstrates that God's moral requirements are not entirely foreign to them. Their own actions, guided by this innate moral sense, serve as a basis for their accountability before God. This is not to say they create their own moral code, but rather that the moral principles God has embedded in creation and human nature become a functional "law" by which they are judged. [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Romans 2:15 - Conscience and Moral Judgment") clarifies that their conscience and thoughts either accuse or excuse them, bearing witness to this internal "law."

**Does this verse imply that Gentiles can be saved by following their conscience or "natural law" without Christ?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply salvation apart from Christ. Instead, it establishes the *basis for judgment* for Gentiles, demonstrating that they are accountable for their sin even without the Mosaic Law. Paul's overarching argument in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1-3 - The Universal Need for Righteousness") is that *all* humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, are under the power of sin and fall short of God's glory ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). While Gentiles may instinctively do some things that align with God's law, their inability to perfectly fulfill even this innate moral standard, coupled with their suppression of the truth about God revealed in creation ([Romans 1:18-20](/romans/1-18-20 "Romans 1:18-20 - God's Revelation and Human Guilt")), leads to their condemnation. The purpose of this verse is to show that no one is without excuse, thus highlighting the universal need for God's grace and the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 2:14, by establishing the universal moral accountability of humanity, powerfully underscores the absolute necessity of Christ. If even those without the explicit written Law are "a law unto themselves" and yet fail to perfectly uphold that inherent standard, it reveals the pervasive nature of sin and the utter inability of humanity to achieve righteousness on its own. The Law, whether written on stone or etched on the heart, serves to expose sin, not to provide salvation ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus Christ, however, stands as the perfect fulfillment of the Law, both the external Mosaic Law and the internal moral demands of God. He lived a life of flawless obedience, perfectly embodying the righteousness that humanity could never achieve ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ bore the penalty for humanity's failure to keep the Law, satisfying God's just demands ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, for those who believe, the righteousness of God is freely given, not earned by keeping any law, but received by faith in Christ ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's universal moral failure, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the indwelling Spirit who empowers believers to truly walk in newness of life, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law not by their own strength, but by grace ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Us by the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 2:12

For 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 1:19

¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

Romans 1:20

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 2:27

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

Acts 10:35

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Ephesians 2:12

That 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:

Psalms 147:19

He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.