Romans 2:12-20 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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the Searcher of All Hearts

Romans 2:12-20

The Apostle goes on to show that all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, will be judged by the same standard. For the Jew that law was written upon the pages of the Old Testament; but for the Gentiles, who possessed neither Moses nor Sinai, it was written on the tablets of the heart and known as “conscience.” The difference between the two is comparable to that between the time of day indicated by the sun and by the watch which each man carries in his pocket. It is a blessed and profound truth, which makes all men amenable to God's judgment, that deep down in every man's soul He has engraven His holy law.

How clearly Scripture bears witness to the eternal judgment! Acts 17:31. The secrets of men are to be judged, Romans 2:16. How thankful we should be that those who stand in Christ shall not come under condemnation! He has borne the curse of a broken law for us, and is not ashamed to call us brethren, Hebrews 2:11.

Related Commentaries of Romans 2:12

Romans 2:12-20

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

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

14 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:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciencec also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

18 And knowest his will, and approvestd the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.