Romans 2:15

13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them

16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
KJV
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;)
WEB
in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)
ASV
in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing [them]);
DARBY
who shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing themselves between themselves;)
BLB
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also testifying, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending [them]
ÅB
De viser at lovens gjerning er skrevet på hjertene deres, og at samvittigheten deres også vitner, og at deres indre tanker enten anklager eller forsvarer dem
OTB
De viser at kravene i Loven er skrevet på deres hjerter, deres samvittighet vitner også, og deres tanker anklager dem noen ganger og forsvarer dem andre ganger.
B1930
de viser at lovens gjerning er skrevet i deres hjerter, idet også deres samvittighet gir sitt vidnesbyrd, og deres tanker innbyrdes anklager eller også forsvarer dem -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Corinthians 5:11

    Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

    Read in context
  • Romans 1:18–19

    The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

    Read in context
  • Titus 1:15

    To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 4:2

    influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

    Read in context
  • Romans 9:1

    I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.

    Read in context
  • Job 27:6

    I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 3:19–21

    And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:

    Read in context