A Law to Themselves Romans 2:14

Paul the apostle told the church members in Rome, “not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of Romans, Paul shared how “the Gentiles” ... “are a law to themselves” where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law,...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “the Gentiles” which means “the name that embraces all nations not Jews that made the language, customs, and learning of the Greeks their own”, “which have not” or “who do not own, possess or hold” “the law” which means “God's law and disciplines”, “do by nature” which means “perform through force, laws and order of what is natural” “the things contained” which means “the parts and articles established and received by usage, a custom or command” “in the law” or “within God's law and disciplines”. Paul referred to the way “nations who are not Jews” do not have “God's law” and therefore naturally do things which are “established” within it.

The verse continues, “... these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:” Paul added the word, “these” which refers to “the Gentiles to whom Paul referred”, “having not the law” or “not owning, possessing or holding God's law and disciplines”, “are a law” which means “are a rule of action prescribed by reason” “unto themselves” or “toward their own selves”. Paul shared how nations who do not have God's law have their own “law” by which they abide.

When we think through these words of Paul, we notice how it differs for those who do not “own or possess” God's law verses those who do. People who do not have God's way of living, live according to what is natural for them. Their “sinful” ways are contrary to God's law even though they do not know it, and Jesus came for people such as these. Some people have the advantage of the “law of God”, and others do not, however Jesus came to “save” both. Both “violate” God's law. The Gentiles do so through “ignorance”, which does not excuse them, however Jesus Christ desires to be their “Savior and Lord”. May all who read these words know the goodness and graciousness of God who desires to bring “salvation” to everyone whether they have His “law” or not.

Next time Paul shares about, “the work of the law written in their hearts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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