The Law Written in Their Hearts Romans 2:15

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 he added, “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”. In chapter two and verse fifteen of Romans, Paul shared how the Gentiles “show the work of the law written in their hearts” where we read:

Which show 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;)

The verse begins, “Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, ...” Paul began with the words, “which show” which means “that point out, show, demonstrate, prove, manifest, display and put forth” “the work” which means “the business, employment and that which any one is occupied” “of the law” or “pertaining to the rule producing a state approved of God” “written” which means “inscribed” “in their hearts” which refers to “the Gentile's soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors ”, “their conscience” or “the Gentile's the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one and condemning the other” “also bearing witness” or “corroborating by evidence and testifying to”. Paul shared how people who are “Gentiles” who do not have “God's law” respond to His “law” because it was “inscribed” within their souls.

The verse goes on to say, “... and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” Paul continued with the words, “and their thoughts” which refers to “and the Gentile's reckoning, computation and reasoning” “the mean while accusing” which means “were as a plaintiff who charges with some offense” “or else excusing” which means “even as or indeed to defend, give a full account, calculate or consider well” “one another” or “reciprocally and mutually”. Paul stated how the Gentile's “reckoning and reasoning” were both as “plaintiffs” and “defendants” on behalf of one another.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how the “souls” or “minds and hearts” of the Gentiles knew God's law. Their “consciences” told them when they were violating God's ways because God “wrote” His “law” within their “hearts”. Because of this, they were “guilty” of “sin” and were in need of a “Savior and Lord”, and Jesus came for that reason. Though they did not possess the “written law of God”, their “spirits” knew what God required. “Salvation” is available for everyone who will “believe and trust” in Jesus, and those who are wise shall recognize God's “law written in their hearts” and turn to Him to be “saved”.

Next time Paul shares about, “when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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