Parallel Verses

An Understandable Version

(For when the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not have the law of Moses, instinctively practice [some of] its requirements, they become their own lawmakers, even though they do not have the law of Moses.

New American Standard Bible

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,

King James Version

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:

Holman Bible

So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law.

International Standard Version

For whenever gentiles, who do not possess the Law, do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law.

A Conservative Version

For when the Gentiles who have no law do by nature the things of the law, these men, not having law, are a law to themselves.

American Standard Version

(for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves;

Amplified

When Gentiles, who do not have the Law [since it was given only to Jews], do instinctively the things the Law requires [guided only by their conscience], they are a law to themselves, though they do not have the Law.

Anderson New Testament

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

Bible in Basic English

For when the Gentiles without the law have a natural desire to do the things in the law, they are a law to themselves;

Common New Testament

When Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Daniel Mace New Testament

when the Gentiles who have not the law, do by nature what the law prescribes, tho' these have not the law, they are a law to themselves:

Darby Translation

For when those of the nations, which have no law, practise by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;

Godbey New Testament

For when the Gentiles, not having the law, may by nature do the things of the law, they, not having the law, are a law unto themselves:

Goodspeed New Testament

When heathen who have no Law instinctively obey what the Law demands, even though they have no law they are a law to themselves,

John Wesley New Testament

For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these not having the law, are a law to themselves;

Julia Smith Translation

For when nations, not having the things of the law, by nature do the things of the law, these, not having the law, are law to themselves:

King James 2000

For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Lexham Expanded Bible

For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things of the law, these, [although they] do not have the law, are a law to themselves,

Modern King James verseion

For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves;

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

For if the gentiles, which have no law, do of nature the things contained in the law: then they having no law, are a law unto themselves,

Moffatt New Testament

[Move vss 14,15 to follow vs 16] (When Gentiles who have no law obey instinctively the Law's requirements, they are a law to themselves, even though they have no law;

Montgomery New Testament

For when Gentiles, who have no law, obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they even though they have no law, are a law to themselves.

NET Bible

For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves.

New Heart English Bible

(for when Gentiles who do not have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,

Noyes New Testament

for when the gentiles, who have no law, do by nature what is required by the Law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;

Sawyer New Testament

for when the nations which have not the law perform by nature [the commandments] of the law, these who have not the law are a law to themselves,

The Emphasized Bible

For, whensoever the nations which have not law, by nature, the things of the law, may be doing, the same, not having law, unto themselves, are a law, -

Thomas Haweis New Testament

(for when the Gentiles, who have not the law naturally, do the things of the law, these, though not having the law, are a law unto themselves:

Twentieth Century New Testament

When Gentiles, who have no Law, do instinctively what the Law requires, they, though they have no Law, are a Law to themselves;

Webster

For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law to themselves.

Weymouth New Testament

For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to themselves;

Williams New Testament

Indeed, when heathen people who have no law instinctively do what the law demands, although they have no law, they are a law to themselves,

World English Bible

(for when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,

Worrell New Testament

(for, when gentiles who have no law do by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;

Worsley New Testament

for when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the duties of the law, these though they have not the law, are a law to themselves,

Youngs Literal Translation

For, when nations that have not a law, by nature may do the things of the law, these not having a law -- to themselves are a law;

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

ὅταν 
Hotan 
when, as soon as, as long as, that, whensoever, while, till
Usage: 49

the Gentiles
ἔθνος 
Ethnos 
Usage: 132

ἔχω 
Echo 
have, be, need , , vr have
Usage: 479

not
μή 
me 
μή 
me 
not, no, that not, God forbid 9, lest, neither, no man , but, none, not translated,
not, no, that not, God forbid 9, lest, neither, no man , but, none, not translated,
Usage: 493
Usage: 493

the law
νόμος 
Nomos 
νόμος 
Nomos 
Usage: 179
Usage: 179

do
ποιέω 
Poieo 
do, make, bring forth, commit, cause, work, show, bear, keep, fulfil, deal, perform, not tr, , vr do
Usage: 372

by nature
φύσις 
Phusis 
Usage: 14

the things

which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

contained in the law
νόμος 
Nomos 
law
Usage: 179

οὗτος οὗτοι αὕτη αὕται 
Houtos 
this, these, he, the same, this man, she, they,
Usage: 258

ἔχω 
Echo 
have, be, need , , vr have
Usage: 479

are
εἰσί 
Eisi 
are, be, were, have, not tr,
Usage: 97

a law
νόμος 
Nomos 
law
Usage: 179

Devotionals

Devotionals about Romans 2:14

Images Romans 2:14

Prayers for Romans 2:14

Context Readings

God Will Judge People Who Are Not Jewish

13 For [it is] not those who hear the law of Moses who are right with God, but [it is] those who obey [the requirements of] that law [perfectly] who will be considered right with God. 14 (For when the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not have the law of Moses, instinctively practice [some of] its requirements, they become their own lawmakers, even though they do not have the law of Moses. 15 In doing this [i.e., practicing some of the requirements of the law of Moses], they demonstrate that these requirements are written in their hearts. Their conscience tells them this, and their thoughts alternately accuse them [of wrongdoing], or else endorse them [for doing right]).

Cross References

Romans 2:12

For all those people [i.e., Gentiles] who have sinned without [knowing] the law of Moses will also be lost without [knowing] that law. And all those people [i.e., Jews] who have sinned under [the authority] of the law of Moses will be judged by [the requirements of] that law.

Acts 10:35

but that whoever respects Him and does what is right, whatever country he may be from, is acceptable to Him.

Acts 14:16

God allowed all nations to go their own way in past generations,

Acts 17:30

Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].

Romans 1:19-20

For what is known about God is plain to these people [i.e., to the Gentiles], because God has made it clear to them.

Romans 1:32

These people know that God's decrees require that those who practice such things deserve to die [i.e., either spiritual or temporal punishment], yet they not only do the same things [themselves], but even approve of other people who practice them.

Romans 2:27

So, will not those physically uncircumcised people [i.e., the Gentiles], who obey the law, condemn you [Jews] for breaking the law, even though you have the written code and [practice] circumcision?

Romans 3:1-2

What advantage then does the Jew have [i.e., over the Gentile]? Or what value is there in circumcision?

1 Corinthians 11:14

[And] does not the very nature of things teach you that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair? [Note: The prevailing, worldwide custom, observable to Paul even in his day, was shorter hair on men and longer hair on women. The fact of exceptions to this arrangement only proves the rule. See Num. 6:5; I Sam. 1:11].

Ephesians 2:12

[Remember] that you were at that time without Christ; [you were] excluded from citizenship in the nation of Israel; [you were] foreigners regarding the Agreements of [God's] promises. You had no hope and were without God in the world.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, give [careful] thought to these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, whatever is commendable. If it is excellent; if it is praiseworthy; [think about it].

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain