Romans 2:15

"(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,"

Key Reflection

This verse suggests that even non-Jews, who lack formal revelation of God's laws, can still exhibit righteous behavior out of natural conscience and inherent moral reasoning. Thus, their actions serve as a self-imposed law, reflecting the same principles found in the Mosaic Law but without explicit instruction.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. Which shew. Who thus evince or show. The work of the law. The design, purpose, or object which is contemplated by the revealed law; that is, to make known to man his duty, and to enforce the obligation to perform it. This does not mean, by any means, that they had all the knowledge which the law would impart, for then there would have been no need of a revelation; but that, as far as it went, as far as they had a knowledge of right and wrong, they coincided with the revealed will of God. In other words, the will of God, whether made known by reason or revelation, will be the same so far as reason goes.

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