Unwritten law, nature and conscience (2:14–15)
Says Paul speaks of Gentiles without the law doing what the law requires, with the word φύσει (physei, "by nature") in the clause (2:14). They show "the work of the law" written on their hearts, and their συνείδησις (syneidēsis, "conscience") bears witness (2:15).
Greeks spoke of unwritten law: Sophocles' Antigone appeals to the gods' unwritten ordinances (Ant. 450–457), Aristotle to a general law based on nature (Rhet. 1.13.2, 1373b), Xenophon's Socrates to unwritten laws made by the gods (Mem. 4.4.19), and the Stoics to a common law, right reason (Diogenes Laertius 7.88).
συνείδησις was usually a guilty self-awareness. Wisdom says wickedness, "pressed with conscience," expects the worst (Wis 17:11, Brenton; Swete τῇ συνειδήσει). Philo pictures an inner accuser and judge (Decal. 87).
Implies Conscience bears witness even where Sinai's law is absent (2:15); 1:19–20, 32 already says all people know God's righteous decree; and the whole argument looks to the day when God will judge through Christ Jesus (2:16), not to Stoic natural law.
Uncertain Whether these are Gentiles generally or Gentile Christians, and whether φύσει goes with "do" or with "not having the law," is debated. The evidence leans toward Gentiles generally: φύσει read with "do," thoughts "accusing or defending" them, the link to 1:19–20, 32, and humanity made in God's image (Gen 1:27). For Gentile Christians: "written on their hearts" echoes Jer 31:33; 2:26–29 and 8:4 speak of law-fulfillment by the Spirit; and φύσει can go with "not having the law" (cf. Gal 2:15). See the Exegete's commentary.
Claims
- SaysRom 2:14–15 speaks of Gentiles who do not have the law doing what the law requires, with φύσει ('by nature') in the clause, and says they show the work of the law written on their hearts while their conscience bears witness.
- ImpliesConscience bears witness even where Sinai's law is absent (Rom 2:15); Rom 1:19–20, 32 says all people know God's righteous decree; and the whole argument looks to the day when God will judge through Christ Jesus (2:16), not to Stoic natural law.
- UncertainWhether the Gentiles of Rom 2:14–15 are Gentiles generally or Gentile Christians, and whether φύσει goes with 'do' or with 'not having the law'. The evidence leans toward Gentiles generally (φύσει with 'do'; thoughts accusing or defending; the link to 1:19–20, 32; humanity made in God's image, Gen 1:27). For Gentile Christians: the echo of Jer 31:33 in 'written on their hearts', the parallel with 2:26–29 and 8:4, and φύσει construed with 'not having the law' (cf. Gal 2:15).
Citations
- SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Rom 2:14–15
- BSB public domain Rom 1:19–20, 32; 2:14–16, 26–29; 8:4; Gen 1:27; Jer 31:33; Gal 2:15
- Sophocles, Ant. (Jebb) CC BY-SA 3.0 Ant. 450–457
- Aristotle, Rhet. (Freese) CC BY-SA 3.0 Rhet. 1.13.2, 1373b
- Xenophon, Mem. (Marchant) CC BY-SA 3.0 Mem. 4.4.19
- Diog. Laert. (Hicks) CC BY-SA 3.0 7.88
- Brenton LXX (English) public domain Wis 17:11
- LXX (Swete) CC BY-SA 4.0 Wis 17:11 (margin 10), vol. 2 p. 637 (checked against scan 2026-10-29, L11)
- Philo (Yonge) public domain Decal. 87 (paraphrased)
Quotations from Sophocles, Ant. (Jebb) are used under CC BY-SA 3.0 · Quotations from Aristotle, Rhet. (Freese) are used under CC BY-SA 3.0 · Quotations from Xenophon, Mem. (Marchant) are used under CC BY-SA 3.0 · Quotations from Diog. Laert. (Hicks) are used under CC BY-SA 3.0 · Quotations from LXX (Swete) are used under CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credits
2026-10-29
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