SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:14
Porque los gentiles que no tienen la ley, haciendo naturalmente lo que es de la ley, los tales, aunque no tengan la ley, ellos mismos se son ley,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 2:14
Verse 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, &c.] Nor does it follow that the Gentiles who have not had a Divine revelation, shall either perish, because they had it not; or their unrighteous conduct pass unpunished, because not having this revelation might be considered as an excuse for their sins. Do by nature the things contained in the law] Do, without this Divine revelation, through that light which God imparts to every man, the things contained in the law-act according to justice, mercy, temperance and truth, the practice of which the revealed law so powerfully enjoins; these are a law unto themselves-they are not accountable to any other law, and are not to be judged by any dispensation different from that under which they live.
Rabbi Tanchum brings in the Supreme Being as saying: When I decreed any thing against the Gentiles, to whom I have not given laws and statutes, and they know what I have decreed; immediately they repent; but the Israelites do not so. Tanchum, fol. 43. 2.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law , etc..] The objection of the Gentiles against their condemnation, taken from their being without the law, is here obviated. The apostle owns that they had not the law, that is, the written law of Moses, and yet intimates that they had, and must have a law, against which they sinned, and so deserved punishment, and which they in part obeyed; for these men do by nature the things contained in the law . The matter and substance of the moral law of Moses agrees with the law and light of nature; and the Gentiles in some measure, and in some sort, did these things by nature; not that men by the mere strength of nature without the grace of God, can fulfil the law, or do anything that is acceptable to God; and indeed, what these men did was merely natural and carnal, and so unacceptable to God. Some understand this of nature assisted by grace, in converted Gentiles, whether before or after the coming of Christ; others expound the phrase, by nature, freely, willingly, in opposition to the servile spirit of the Jews, in their obedience to the law; though it rather seems to design the dictates of natural reason, by which they acted: and so these having not the law , the written law, are a law to themselves ; which they have by nature and use, and which natural reason dictates to them. So Plato distinguishes the law into written and un written f15 : the written law is that which was used in commonwealths; and that kata eyh ginomenov , which was according to custom or nature, was called unwritten, such as not to go to market naked, nor to be clothed with women's clothes; which things were not forbidden by any law, but these were not done because forbidden by the unwritten law; which he calls unwritten, because not written on tables, or with ink; otherwise it was written in their minds, and which by nature and use they were accustomed to.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-16 - The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privilege by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their rea character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's ow thoughts. In every wilful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though the branches of man's disobedience are very various all spring from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the mind, which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. I shows also a sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the great chang wrought in repentance, it is conversion, and is needed by every huma being. The ruin of sinners is their walking after a hard and impeniten heart. Their sinful doings are expressed by the strong words "treasuring up wrath." In the description of the just man, notice the full demand of the law. It demands that the motives shall be pure, an rejects all actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the descriptio of the unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all evil. The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Eve Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which directe them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a witness, an first or last will bear witness. As they nature. Conscience is witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or brok these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfor to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shal be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.
Greek Textus Receptus
οταν 3752 CONJ γαρ 1063 CONJ εθνη 1484 N-NPN τα 3588 T-NPN μη 3361 PRT-N νομον 3551 N-ASM εχοντα 2192 5723 V-PAP-NPN φυσει 5449 N-DSF τα 3588 T-APN του 3588 T-GSM νομου 3551 N-GSM ποιη 4160 5725 V-PAS-3S ουτοι 3778 D-NPM νομον 3551 N-ASM μη 3361 PRT-N εχοντες 2192 5723 V-PAP-NPM εαυτοις 1438 F-3DPM εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P νομος 3551 N-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. When (otan). Lit., whenever, supposing a case which may occur at any time.The Gentiles. Rev., properly, Gentiles. There is no article. Not the Gentiles collectively, but Gentiles among whom the supposed case occurs. Which have not the law (ta mh nomon econta). The mh not negatives the possession of the law. Rev., which have no law.
Having not the law (nomon mh econtev). Here mh not negatives the possession of the law. Rev., having no law. It is difficult to indicate the proper emphasis in the English text, since the use of italics is limited to words not in the original.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:14 {That have no law} (ta m nomon econta). Better, "that have not the law" (the Mosaic law). {By nature} (fusei). Instrumental case of fusis, old word from fuw, to beget. The Gentiles are without the Mosaic law, but not without some knowledge of God in conscience and when they do right "they are a law to themselves" (heautois eisin nomos). this is an obvious reply to the Jewish critic.
