King James Version

What Does Romans 2:15 Mean?

Romans 2:15 in the King James Version says “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the me...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 ;) their conscience: or, the conscience witnessing with them the mean: or, between themselves”

Romans 2:15 · KJV

Context

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 conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another ;) their conscience: or, the conscience witnessing with them the mean: or, between themselves

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,

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. When does my conscience 'accuse' me—convict me of sin—and do I listen or rationalize away its testimony?
  2. How has my conscience been shaped by Scripture versus merely cultural conditioning or personal preference?
  3. If Gentiles have the law 'written in hearts,' how much more should I, with both Scripture and the Holy Spirit, pursue holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
οἵτινες1 of 24

“Which”

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

ἐνδείκνυνται2 of 24

“shew”

G1731

to indicate (by word or act)

τὸ3 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργον4 of 24

“the work”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

τοῦ5 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμου6 of 24

“of the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

γραπτὸν7 of 24

“written”

G1123

inscribed (figuratively)

ἐν8 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς9 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαις10 of 24

“hearts”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτῶν11 of 24

“their”

G846

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

συμμαρτυρούσης12 of 24

“also bearing witness”

G4828

to testify jointly, i.e., corroborate by (concurrent) evidence

αὐτῶν13 of 24

“their”

G846

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

τῆς14 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνειδήσεως15 of 24

“conscience”

G4893

co-perception, i.e., moral consciousness

καὶ16 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μεταξὺ17 of 24

“one another”

G3342

betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining

ἀλλήλων18 of 24
G240

one another

τῶν19 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λογισμῶν20 of 24

“their thoughts”

G3053

computation, i.e., (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit)

κατηγορούντων21 of 24

“the mean while accusing”

G2723

to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence

ἢ22 of 24

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

καὶ23 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπολογουμένων24 of 24

“excusing”

G626

to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e., exculpate (self)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 2:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 5:11Titus 1:152 Corinthians 1:12Romans 1:18-191 John 3:19-21Job 27:6

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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