2:15a

So they: The Greek word is literally “who” and the Greek sentence continues from 2:14. The word “who” refers back to the Gentiles (2:14a). The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions begin a new sentence here for more natural English and therefore translate the Greek word as So they.

But the Gentiles are not purposely going around and showing this. It is their deeds that show that the principles of God’s law are in their hearts. For example:

Their conduct (Good News Translation)

show: The present tense here indicates that Gentiles show this throughout their lives. Consider how to indicate that in your language.

the work of the law is written on their hearts: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ wrote the work of the law on their hearts

the work of the law: This phrase refers to doing good deeds and avoiding bad deeds, following the principles of God’s law. Examples are: “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) and “do not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Gentiles did not have the exact words of the Old Testament but they behaved in similar ways. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the requirements of the law (New International Version)
-or-
the effect of the Law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
what the law requires (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
what is right and wrong, just as the law commands (New Century Version)
-or-
the good which the law says to do

law: Here this word refers to the laws that God gave to the Jews. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to laws in general. If that is true in your language, explain it in the text. For example:

God’s law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the law ⌊of Moses⌋

is written on their hearts: The phrase is written on is used as a metaphor here. It means “exists in.” The Gentiles often behave as if they already know how God wants them to behave. In some languages a literal translation would not be natural. If that is true in your language, translate without the metaphor. For example:

is in their hearts
-or-
they know

their hearts: Here the word hearts refers figuratively to the inner being, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the inner being. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

their insides/livers
-or-
their mind and will

2:15b

their consciences also bearing witness: This indicates that the consciences of Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Their consciences also show that this is true (Good News Translation)
-or-
to this their conscience gives supporting witness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Their minds also confirm that that is true

consciences: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consciences refers to the record of past deeds that a person has in his mind and causes him to feel ashamed or guilty when he does something wrong. It also makes him feel good when he does what is right. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Their minds also confirm that that is true, because their minds are the very-thing that tells them whether what they are doing is good or bad.
-or-
they say in their hearts: “That action is wrong,” or they say: “That action is good.”
-or-
They know in their minds what is good and what is bad to do.

2:15c–d

and their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The word and indicates here that the thoughts of the Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts.

their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as thoughts is literally “between-one-another thoughts.” It refers to the thoughts of Gentiles, some which accuse them when they have done wrong, and some which commend them when they have done right. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them (New International Version (2011))
-or-
thoughts that say they did wrong or sometimes even say they did right
-or-
their minds tell them whether what they are doing is bad or good
-or-
think “That action is wrong,” or “That action is good.”

2:15c

thoughts either accusing: In some languages the word thoughts cannot go with the word accusing. See the above examples.

2:15d

or defending them: Here the Greek includes a word that is usually translated as “even.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. It indicates that much more often the thoughts of Gentiles accuse them and their thoughts only occasionally “defend them.”

defending: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as defending refers to explaining behavior so that someone else will see that that behavior was acceptable. In this case, a Gentile might give reasons why he thinks that what he did was a good deed. Here are other ways to translate this word:

excuse (English Standard Version)
-or-
tell them they are doing right (New Living Translation (2004))

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