“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:”
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. Gentiles possess a natural law (physei) inscribed in their moral nature; they fulfill the law's requirements (ta tou nomou) without formal instruction. They become a law to themselves (heautois eisin nomos)—possessing an interior moral compass. This doctrine of natural law echoes Stoic philosophy but derives ultimately from God's creative design.
Church Fathers on Romans 2:14
“For when the Gentiles,” he says, “which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.” I am not, he means, rejecting the Law, but even on this score I justify the Gentiles. You see how when undermining the conceit of Judaism, he gives no handle against himself as villifying the Law, but on the contrary by extolling it and showing its greatness he so makes good his whole position. But whenever he says…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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