2:14–15
These two verses explain 2:12a–b. Some English versions indicate that these verses are extra information and not a part of the main collection of thoughts of Paul, but these two verses are not a change of subject or background information. You should not put these verses in parentheses.
2:14a
Indeed: This conjunction is the same one that the Berean Standard Bible did not translate in 2:12a and translated as “For” in 2:13. It introduces an explanation of 2:12a–b.
Gentiles: This word refers to people who are not Jews. Here are other ways to translate this word:
Those who are not Jews (New Century Version)
-or-
non-Jews (God’s Word)
-or-
nations
do by nature: This phrase refers to thoughts and deeds that are considered normal in the place where the person grew up. It includes what people in that place consider to be right or wrong. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
instinctively (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
naturally (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
through their own innate sense (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
their minds are like their law which directs them
-or-
their own hearts teach them
-or-
know in themselves
what the law requires: This indicates that the Gentiles do good deeds and avoid evil deeds. For example, they may honor their parents, which is also a Jewish law. Here are other ways to translate these words:
the deeds written in the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
as the Law commands (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the things/rules that the laws ⌊of Moses⌋ contain
-or-
in accordance with it (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
some of the commands of that law
2:14b–c
they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law: The words even though indicates that it is true that the Gentiles did not have the Jewish laws to live by. But despite that, they were a law to themselves (2:14b). Here are other ways to translate this clause:
these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they behave as if having a law, even without having heard the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
these who do not have the law are a law to themselves (NET Bible)
-or-
Those who are not Jews do not have the law, but when they freely do what the law commands, they are the law for themselves (New Century Version)
2:14b
they are a law to themselves: This indicates that the Gentiles follow a set of laws based on what they know is right and wrong. The word law here does not refer to the Jewish laws. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
they are their own law (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they have made their own law ⌊to follow⌋
-or-
their minds are like their law which directs them
-or-
they have a law there in their hearts
-or-
it is as if they have a law in their minds/thoughts
the law: Here the word law refers to the Jewish laws.
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