Romans 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Original Language Analysis
οἵτινες
Which
G3748
οἵτινες
Which
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
1 of 24
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργον
the work
G2041
ἔργον
the work
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
4 of 24
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
6 of 24
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαις
hearts
G2588
καρδίαις
hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
10 of 24
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
συμμαρτυρούσης
also bearing witness
G4828
συμμαρτυρούσης
also bearing witness
Strong's:
G4828
Word #:
12 of 24
to testify jointly, i.e., corroborate by (concurrent) evidence
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεταξὺ
one another
G3342
μεταξὺ
one another
Strong's:
G3342
Word #:
17 of 24
betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λογισμῶν
their thoughts
G3053
λογισμῶν
their thoughts
Strong's:
G3053
Word #:
20 of 24
computation, i.e., (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit)
κατηγορούντων
the mean while accusing
G2723
κατηγορούντων
the mean while accusing
Strong's:
G2723
Word #:
21 of 24
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.Job 27:6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.Romans 9:1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,1 Timothy 4:2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;2 Corinthians 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.Acts 23:1And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.Ecclesiastes 7:22For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Historical Context
Greek ethics heavily emphasized conscience and reason as moral guides. Stoic philosophers like Seneca and Epictetus taught that reason discerns moral truth. Jews countered that only Torah provides reliable moral knowledge. Paul synthesizes: Gentiles do have moral knowledge (conscience), but it's inferior to special revelation and corrupted by sin. Both testify to God's existence and character (Romans 1:19-20), rendering all humanity 'without excuse' (1:20, 2:1).
Questions for Reflection
- When does my conscience 'accuse' me—convict me of sin—and do I listen or rationalize away its testimony?
- How has my conscience been shaped by Scripture versus merely cultural conditioning or personal preference?
- If Gentiles have the law 'written in hearts,' how much more should I, with both Scripture and the Holy Spirit, pursue holiness?
Analysis & Commentary
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts—οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν (hoitines endeiknyntai to ergon tou nomou grapton en tais kardiais autōn). Ἐνδείκνυμι (endeiknymi, "demonstrate/show forth") means Gentile behavior evidences internal moral knowledge. Γραπτόν (grapton, "written") parallels Jeremiah 31:33's new covenant promise—law written on hearts, not stone tablets.
Their conscience also bearing witness—συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως (symmartyrousēs autōn tēs syneidēseōs). Συνείδησις (syneidēsis, "conscience") literally means "co-knowledge," internal awareness of right and wrong. It συμμαρτυρέω (symmartureō, "testifies with/alongside"), serving as moral witness. And their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another—internal moral dialogue where λογισμοί (logismoi, "thoughts/reasonings") prosecute and defend.
Paul describes universal human experience: an internal moral tribunal where conscience convicts or acquits. This validates moral accountability even without Torah. The "law written in hearts" anticipates the new covenant (Romans 8:2-4, Hebrews 8:8-12), but here describes general revelation. Conscience proves humanity's moral nature as God's image-bearers, though sin corrupts conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7, Titus 1:15), requiring Scripture's objective standard.