Romans 2:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →When those without the written law instinctively do what it requires, they show they are a law to themselves.
What Does Romans 2:14 Mean?
Paul gives an example to support verse twelve. The Gentiles never received the law of Moses, yet at times they do by nature the very things it commands. In doing so they become, in a sense, a law unto themselves.
This means no one is wholly without moral knowledge. Something of God's will is woven into human nature itself, so that even those outside the covenant can recognize and do what is right. Far from excusing anyone, this widens the reach of accountability, and it testifies to a Maker who has not left any people without witness to the good.
Romans 2:14 in the Original Language
physis (φύσις), 'nature' -- the inborn moral instinct or constitution that prompts a person toward right action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 2:14
What does Romans 2:14 mean?
When those without the written law instinctively do what it requires, they show they are a law to themselves.