Romans 2:14 - We know Intinctively
Aug
17
Written by:
8/17/2008 2:33 PM
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." (NLT)
So even though the Gentiles were not the possessors of the law (didn't have a God's written word) they knew in their innermost being its very precepts.
Romans 2:14
"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves," (NASB)
"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)
"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." (NLT)
"For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves." (NET)
So even though the Gentiles were not the possessors of the law (didn't have a God's written word) they knew in their innermost being its very precepts. Yet in Acts we have the warning:
"God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31 NLT)
For the Gentiles did not obey the law perfectly any more that the Jews. So neither are justified by the law. No one can escape the judgment of sin! Yet God displays His goodness by giving opportunity to repent.