Romans 2:13-15 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:15

Verse 15 15.Who show the work of the law (73) written, etc.; that is, they prove that there is imprinted on their hearts a discrimination and judgment by which they distinguish between what is just and unjust, between what is honest and dishonest. He means not that it was so engraven on their will, that they sought and diligently pursued it, but that they were so mastered by the power of truth, that they could not disapprove of it. For why did they institute religious rites, except that they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:1-16

The leading principles regulating the general judgment. Having stated so clearly the state of the Gentile world as under God's wrath, the apostle now introduces to us a critic who endorses the Divine dealings. He is a severe critic, as guilty men will often be. His spirit towards the heathen world, so manifestly under the Divine curse, is, "Serve them right." He is evidently a Jew (cf Romans 2:17 ). Criticizing the heathen world from the platform of superior privileges, the Jew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:1-29

( b ) Those who judge others, not excepting the Jews. Here a new stage of the argument, in proof of the position propounded in Romans 1:18 , begins, and is continued to the end of the chapter. The position to be proved is that all mankind is guilty before God (see note on Romans 1:18 ). So far this has been shown with regard to the mass of the heathen world; its general moral corruption, prevalent and condoned, having been pointed out finally as a glaring proof; the main point of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:5-16

"The righteous judgment of God." In the previous verses we saw how the goodness of God is too often received; how there are many who despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering. It is especially to such persons that St. Paul addresses his account of God's righteous judgment from the fifth verse to the sixteenth. Those who despise God's goodness have a great fact to face. Those who live as if there was no God, who evade his commandments, who evade his offer of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:12-24

Law and guilt. God, as the Judge, is utterly impartial. But how, then, shall the differences between Jew and Gentile, especially in respect of the Law, be dealt with in that day? Sin shall be judged, condemned, in Jew or Gentile. The Gentile shall perish according to the measure of his sin; the Jew according to the measure of his. For law must pass into life, otherwise it is void and useless, save for condemnation. We have here—the Gentiles and the Jews in their respective relations to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:13

For not the hearers of Law are just before God, but the doers of Law shall be justified ; In this verse, as in the previous one, νόμου is anarthrous according to the best-supported readings, though the Textus Receptus has τοῦ before it. It has, therefore, been rendered above simply as Law, not as either the law, or a law , as the same word will be below, whenever it stands by itself without either the article or any modifying genitive. Much has been written by commentators on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:13

Hearers and doers. It is impossible to overlook the resemblance which this passage bears to words of the great Teacher uttered towards the close of the sermon on the mount. In this, as in so many places, the apostle is evidently indebted for his thoughts, and almost his very words, to the Divine Fountain of all the streams of spiritual wisdom and life. I. A PRINCIPLE OF CONDEMNATION . 1. It is possible to hear the Law, and yet not to obey it. 2. In the case of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:14-15

For when Gentiles, which have not law, do by nature (or, having not law by nature, do; cf. Romans 2:27 , ἡ ἐκ φύσεως ἀκροβυστία ) the things of the Law ( i.e. the Mosaic Law), these, not having law, are law unto themselves; which ( οἵτινες , with its usual significance of quippequi ) show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness (or, bearing witness therewith ) , and their thoughts betwixt each other accusing or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 2:13

For not the hearers ... - The same sentiment is implied in James 1:22; Matthew 7:21, Matthew 7:24; Luke 6:47. The apostle here doubtless designed to meet an objection of the Jews; to wit, that they had the Law, that they manifested great deference for it, that they heard it read with attention, and professed a willingness to yield themselves to it. To meet this, he states a very plain and obvious principle, that this was insufficient to justify them before God, unless they rendered actual... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 2:14

For when - The apostle, in Romans 2:13, had stated a general principle, that the doers of the Law only can be justified, if justification is attempted by the Law. In this verse and the next, he proceeds to show that the same principle is applicable to the pagan; that though they have not the written Law of God, yet that they have sufficient knowledge of his will to take away every excuse for sin, and consequently that the course of reasoning by which he had come to the conclusion that they were... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 2:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:1-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:5-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:12-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 2:14-15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 2:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 2:14

Group of Brands