Romans 2:15

The work of the law. That is, the work that the law requires, the conduct the law demands. The phrase has also been understood to mean the practical effect or work of the law itself in establishing the distinction between what is right and what is wrong.

Written in their hearts. Even though Gentiles do not know the written law, whenever they reveal love for God and for their fellow men they show that what the law requires is written in their hearts (see Jer. 31:33; Heb. 10:16). For the meaning of “heart” see on Rom. 1:21. “Wherever there is an impulse of love and sympathy, … there is revealed the working of God’s Holy Spirit” (COL 385; cf. Gal. 5:22). The Holy Spirit is by no means restricted to Jews and Christians, but works on the minds and hearts of men everywhere. This passage must have been hard doctrine for the Jews to accept. It is no less needed today by Christians who are tempted to assume too narrow and selfish a view of salvation (see John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4).

Conscience. Gr. suneidesis, “co-knowledge,” a second knowledge that a man has of the quality of his acts, along with his knowledge of the acts themselves. Paul uses suneidesis more than 20 times in his epistles. Men have the faculty that enables them to pass judgment on their thoughts, words, and actions. The conscience can be over scrupulous (1 Cor. 10:25) or “seared” by abuse (1 Tim. 4:2). It can be enlightened by further knowledge of truth (1 Cor. 8:7), and it acts according to the light it has.

Bearing witness. Paul points to the exercise of conscience among the Gentiles as further evidence that they still possessed some awareness of the will of God, despite their ignorance of the written law.

Thoughts. Or, “reasonings,” “thoughts.”

The meanwhile accusing. These and the remaining words of v. 15 have been variously explained. “The meanwhile” is translated from a word meaning, literally, “in the midst.” By connecting this word with “one another” it is possible to arrive at the meaning “between themselves.” Some understand this as referring to reflective consideration of questions of right and wrong. The RSV translates the passage “their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them.” Some take “between themselves” to mean Gentile with Gentile and conclude that Paul is here referring to accusations or vindications being carried on by the Gentiles among themselves.

Taken either way, this passage indicates that Paul is establishing his point that the Gentiles were not without some sense of right and wrong. By their response to the promptings of conscience they are to be judged.