οιτινες 3748 R-NPM ενδεικνυνται 1731 5731 V-PMI-3P το 3588 T-ASN εργον 2041 N-ASN του 3588 T-GSM νομου 3551 N-GSM γραπτον 1123 A-ASN εν 1722 PREP ταις 3588 T-DPF καρδιαις 2588 N-DPF αυτων 846 P-GPM συμμαρτυρουσης 4828 5723 V-PAP-GSF αυτων 846 P-GPM της 3588 T-GSF συνειδησεως 4893 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ μεταξυ 3342 ADV αλληλων 240 C-GPM των 3588 T-GPM λογισμων 3053 N-GPM κατηγορουντων 2723 5723 V-PAP-GPM η 2228 PRT και 2532 CONJ απολογουμενων 626 5740 V-PNP-GPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
15. Which shew (oitinev endeiknuntai). Rev., better, in that they shew, the double relative specifying the class to which they belong, and therefore the reason for what precedes. Shew, properly, in themselves (en).The work of the law. The conduct corresponding to the law.
Their conscience also bearing witness (summarturoushv autwn thv suneidhsewv). For conscience, see on 1 Pet. iii. 16. The force of oun with the verb is therewith; i.e., with the prescript of the law, respecting the agreement or disagreement of the act with it. So Rev.
The meanwhile (metaxu). Rev. renders with one another. Their thoughts one with another. The phrase metaxu ajllhlwn is variously explained. Some alternately, now acquitting and now condemning. Others, among themselves, as in internal debate. So Alford, "thought against thought in inner strife." Others again, accusations or vindications carried on between Gentiles and Gentiles. As the other parts of the description refer to the individual soul in itself and not to relations with others, the explanation expressed in Rev. - the mutual relations and interchanges of the individual thoughts - seems preferable.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:15 {In that they} (hoitines). "The very ones who," qualitative relative. {Written in their hearts} (grapton en tais kardiais autwn). Verbal adjective of grafw, to write. When their conduct corresponds on any point with the Mosaic law they practise the unwritten law in their hearts. {Their conscience bearing witness therewith} (sunmarturouses autwn tes suneidesews). On conscience (suneidesis) see on 1Co 8:7; 10:25f.; 2Co 1:12. Genitive absolute here with present active participle sunmarturouss as in #9:1. The word suneidesis means co-knowledge by the side of the original consciousness of the act. this second knowledge is personified as confronting the first (Sanday and Headlam). The Stoics used the word a great deal and Paul has it twenty times. It is not in the O.T., but first in this sense in Wisdom 17:10. All men have this faculty of passing judgment on their actions. It can be over-scrupulous (#1Co 10:25) or "seared" by abuse (#1Ti 4:12). It acts according to the light it has. {Their thoughts one with another accusing or also excusing them} (metaxu alll"n t"n logism"n katgorount"n kai apologoumen"n). Genitive absolute again showing the alternative action of the conscience, now accusing, now excusing. Paul does not say that a heathen's conscience always commends everything that he thinks, says, or does. In order for one to be set right with God by his own life he must always act in accord with his conscience and never have its disapproval. That, of course, is impossible else Christ died for naught (#Ga 2:21). Jesus alone lived a sinless life. For one to be saved without Christ he must also live a sinless life.
