13 for it is (A)not the hearers [a]of the Law who are [b]righteous before God, but the doers [c]of the Law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [d]the Law [e](B)instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having [f]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show (C)the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, (D)according to my gospel, (E)God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:13 Or of law
  2. Romans 2:13 Or just
  3. Romans 2:13 Or of law
  4. Romans 2:14 Or law
  5. Romans 2:14 Lit by nature
  6. Romans 2:14 Or law

13 For it is not those who merely hear the Law [as it is read aloud] who are just or righteous before God, but it is those who [actually] obey the Law who will be [a]justified [pronounced free of the guilt of sin and declared acceptable to Him]. 14 When Gentiles, who do not have the Law [since it was given only to Jews], do [b]instinctively the things the Law requires [guided only by their conscience], they are a law to themselves, though they do not have the Law. 15 They show that the [c]essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts; and their conscience [their sense of right and wrong, their moral choices] bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or perhaps defending them 16 on that day when, [d]as my gospel proclaims, God will judge the secrets [all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins] of men through Christ Jesus.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:13 Because of one’s personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, God graciously credits His righteousness to the believer. Justification denotes a legal standing with God as designated only by God. God declares a believer to be acquitted or innocent, then designates the believer to be brought into right standing before Him.
  2. Romans 2:14 Lit by nature.
  3. Romans 2:15 Lit work of the Law.
  4. Romans 2:16 Lit according to my gospel.

13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey(A) the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,(B) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets(C) through Jesus Christ,(D) as my gospel(E) declares.

Read full chapter

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 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:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Read full chapter