Romans 2:11-20

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:12

(12) Jew and Gentile alike will be judged, each by the method proper to his case; the Jew by the written Law against which he has sinned, the Gentile by the unwritten law of conscience against which he too has sinned. The mere hearing of the Law will bring no exemption to the Jew; and, on the other hand, the Gentile, who, at the dictates of conscience, acts as if he were subject to law, shall have the full benefit that law can give him. In fact, his conscience is to him a law. He undergoes... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:13

(13) For not the hearers of the law.—The parenthesis should not be placed here (as usually in the Authorised version), but at the beginning of the next verse. The present verse is explanatory of that which precedes. “Judged, I say, by the Law; for they must not suppose that the mere fact of their being under the Law will exempt them from this judgment. The only exemption will be that which is given to those who have kept the Law, and not merely had the privilege of hearing it. And,” the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:14

(14) A sort of parenthesis begins here. Romans 2:16 refers back to the main subject of the paragraph, and not to the particular point on which the Apostle digresses in Romans 2:14-15, the virtual operation of law among the Gentiles as well as Jews.By nature.—Spontaneously; of their own motion; not acting under the coercion of any external rule, but simply by the promptings of their own conscience left to itself.The things contained in the law.—Literally, the things of the law. In this one... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:15

(15) Which.—Rather, Inasmuch as they.The work of the law.—The practical effect or realisation of the law—written in their hearts as the original Law was written upon the tables of stone, (Comp. Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3.)Also bearing witness.—Or, witnessing with them, as margin. There is a double witness; their actions speak for them externally, and conscience speaks for them internally.The mean while.—Rather, literally, as margin, between themselves—i.e., with mutual interchange, the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:16

(16) This verse takes up the main thread of the subject. “God will judge Jew and Gentile alike at the last day.” It cannot refer (as some would make it) to what immediately precedes, because there the Apostle is referring to the daily process that goes on whenever doubtful actions are submitted to the law of conscience, here he is speaking expressly of the final judgment held by God and not by man.By Jesus Christ.—As the Son of God is the Mediator of salvation, so also is He the Mediator of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:17

(17) Behold.—An interesting case of a corrupt reading which has found its way into the Authorised version. For “behold,” a decisive consensus of the best MSS. has “but if.” The corruption was very obvious and easy. Adopting “but if,” the answering clause of the sentence is to be found in the question, “Teachest thou not thyself?” Romans 2:21. The connecting particle “therefore” at the beginning of the same verse is merely resumptive, or, as it is technically called, “epanaleptic.”Turning to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:18

(18) His will.—Literally, the will—i.e., “the supreme will.”Approvest the things that are more excellent.—Probably rightly given in the Authorised version, though the marginal rendering also is possible, “triest the things that differ”—i.e., “art able to discriminate between good and evil.”Being instructed.—With reference to the constant reading of the Law in the synagogue. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:19

(19) A guide of the blind.—Comp. Matthew 15:14, “They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind,” et seq. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 2:20

(20) The form of knowledge and of the truth.—As we might say, “the presentation of knowledge and of truth.” Here not form as opposed to substance, but as implying substance—“presentation,” or “embodiment.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Romans 2:1-29

Judgment Romans 2:5-6 I. Belief in a Judgment is part of our faith in the sanity of the universe. Judgment is not an arbitrary enactment but an inevitable process: the sequel and corollary of our sense of responsibility. If goodness and right are anything more than words, there is Judgment to come out of all that is done on earth. Daniel Webster, the American, when asked what was the greatest thought that ever occupied his mind, replied, 'My personal accountability to God'. And I know of... read more

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