ROM 2:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, the thoughts between themselves both accusing or even defending them

UST By naturally following some laws that God gave through Moses, these people demonstrate that God has made each person aware of how to obey his laws. What they think shows that this is true, in that what each of them thinks will either accuse or even defend their actions.

BLB who show the work of the Law, written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending them

AICNT who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and between one another their thoughts accusing or even defending,

OEB for they show the demands of the Law written on their hearts; their consciences corroborating it, while in their thoughts they argue either in self-accusation or, it may be, in self-defence –

WEBBE in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts amongst themselves accusing or else excusing them)

WMBB (Same as above)

NET They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them,

LSV who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also witnessing with them, and between one another the thoughts accusing or else defending,

FBV In this way they show how the law works that's written in their minds. As they think about what they're doing, their conscience either accuses them for doing wrong or defends them for doing what is good and right.

TCNT They show that what the law requires is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness with them and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them

T4T They show that they know in their own minds what God commands in his laws [MET], as each person in his very own conscience either accuses or excuses/defends himself concerning his own behavior.

LEB who show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts one after another accusing or even defending them

BBE Because the work of the law is seen in their hearts, their sense of right and wrong giving witness to it, while their minds are at one time judging them and at another giving them approval;

Moff they exhibit the effect of the Law written on their hearts, their conscience bears them witness, as their moral convictions accuse or it may be defend them.)

Wymth since they exhibit proof that a knowledge of the conduct which the Law requires is engraven on their hearts, while their consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts, as if in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their innocence—

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);

DRA Who shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them, and their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another,

YLT who do shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also witnessing with them, and between one another the thoughts accusing or else defending,

Drby 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;)

RV in that they shew 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;
(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; )

SLT Which show the work of the law Written in their hearts, their consciousness testifying together, and between one another thoughts accusing or also excusing;)

Wbstr Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing testimony, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another)

KJB-1769 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;)
(Which show 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;) )

KJB-1611 Which shew the worke of the Law written in their hearts, their [fn]conscience also bearing witnesse, and their thoughts [fn]the meane while accusing, or else excusing one another:
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes)

2:15 Or, the conscience witnessing with them.

2:15 Or, between themselues.

Bshps Which shewe the workes of the lawe written in their heartes, their conscience bearing them witnesse, & their thoughtes, accusyng one another, or excusyng,)
(Which show the works of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing them witness, and their thoughts, accusing one another, or excusing,))

Gnva Which shew the effect of the Lawe written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witnes, and their thoughts accusing one another, or excusing,)
(Which show the effect of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing one another, or excusing,) )

Cvdl in that they shewe, that the worke of ye lawe is wrytte in their hertes: whyle their conscience beareth witnesse vnto the, and also the thoughtes which accuse or excuse them amonge them selues,
(in that they show, that the work of ye/you_all law is written in their hearts: while their conscience beareth/bears witness unto them, and also the thoughts which accuse or excuse them among themselves,)

TNT which shewe the dede of the lawe wrytten in their hertes: whyll their conscience beareth witnes vnto them and also their thoughtes accusynge one another or excusynge
(which show the deed of the law written in their hearts: while their conscience beareth/bears witness unto them and also their thoughts accusing one another or excusing )

Wycl that schewen the werk of the lawe writun in her hertis. For the conscience of hem yeldith to hem a witnessyng bytwixe hem silf of thouytis that ben accusynge or defendynge,
(that schewen the work of the law written in her hearts. For the conscience of hem yieldeth/yields to hem a witnessing bytwixe himself of thoughts that been accusing or defending,)

Luth damit, daß sie beweisen, des Gesetzes Werk sei beschrieben in ihrem Herzen, sintemal ihr Gewissen sie bezeuget, dazu auch die Gedanken, die sich untereinander verklagen oder entschuldigen,
(with_it/so_that, that they/she/them prove, the law work be described in their heart(s), since you(pl)/their/her conscience they/she/them witnessed, to_that/in_addition also the mind/thoughts, the itself/yourself/themselves each_other sue or entschuldigen,)

ClVg qui ostendunt opus legis scriptum in cordibus suis, testimonium reddente illis conscientia ipsorum, et inter se invicem cogitationibus accusantibus, aut etiam defendentibus,[fn]
(who/which they_show work/need law written in/into/on hearts to_his_own, testimony they_will_returne to_them conscience their_own, and between himself each_other thoughts accusantibus, or also defendentibus, )

2.15 Opus legis. Est fides, quam ultro habent in cordibus, id est, intimo affectu, ubi fides per dilectionem operatur.

2.15 Opus law. It_is faith, how ultro they_have in/into/on hearts, that it_is, intimo with_feeling, where faith through love works.

UGNT οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου, γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συνμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων, τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων,
(hoitines endeiknuntai to ergon tou nomou, grapton en tais kardiais autōn, sunmarturousaʸs autōn taʸs suneidaʸseōs, kai metaxu allaʸlōn, tōn logismōn kataʸgorountōn aʸ kai apologoumenōn,)

SBL-GNT οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων,
(hoitines endeiknuntai to ergon tou nomou grapton en tais kardiais autōn, summarturousaʸs autōn taʸs suneidaʸseōs kai metaxu allaʸlōn tōn logismōn kataʸgorountōn aʸ kai apologoumenōn,)

RP-GNT οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων,
(hoitines endeiknuntai to ergon tou nomou grapton en tais kardiais autōn, summarturousaʸs autōn taʸs suneidaʸseōs, kai metaxu allaʸlōn tōn logismōn kataʸgorountōn aʸ kai apologoumenōn,)

TC-GNT οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, [fn]συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων,
(hoitines endeiknuntai to ergon tou nomou grapton en tais kardiais autōn, summarturousaʸs autōn taʸs suneidaʸseōs, kai metaxu allaʸlōn tōn logismōn kataʸgorountōn aʸ kai apologoumenōn, )

2:15 συμμαρτυρουσης ¦ συνμαρτυρουσης TH WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–16: The unbelieving hypocrite must change his thinking

In all of chapter two, Paul wrote as if to someone who disagreed with him. He used the singular “you” throughout the chapter. This form of teaching is called a “diatribe.” Only one person is talking (or writing), but it is as if two people are talking back and forth, asking and answering questions, making objections and responding. Using this diatribe, Paul rebuked those who judged others improperly. The person whom Paul spoke to here was not a believer. His evil deeds store up God’s wrath against him (2:5), and his sins will cause him to perish (2:12).

In this section, Paul addressed someone who judged others as bad but did the same things (2:1). God would punish such a person (2:2–3); it is according to what a person has done (2:6–11) and according to the knowledge of God that a person has (2:12–15).

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The person who does not believe and judges other people as bad yet does the same things

Hypocritical people who do not believe in Jesus

2:15a

So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts,

Their deeds show that the principles/intentions of the law of Moses are in their hearts.
This good behavior proves that they know the ways/ideas of God’s law.

So they: The Greek word is literally “who” and the Greek sentence continues from 2:14. The word “who” refers back to the Gentiles (2:14a). The BSB and many English versions begin a new sentence here for more natural English and therefore translate the Greek word as So they.

But the Gentiles are not purposely going around and showing this. It is their deeds that show that the principles of God’s law are in their hearts. For example:

Their conduct (GNT)

show: The present tense here indicates that Gentiles show this throughout their lives. Consider how to indicate that in your language.Another interpretation is that Paul was only talking here about the final judgment day (2:16). But that conflicts with the use of the present tense.

the work of the law is written on their hearts: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God wrote the work of the law on their hearts

the work of the law: This phrase refers to doing good deeds and avoiding bad deeds, following the principles of God’s law. Examples are: “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) and “do not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Gentiles did not have the exact words of the Old Testament but they behaved in similar ways. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the requirements of the law (NIV)

the effect of the Law (NJB)

what the law requires (RSV)

what is right and wrong, just as the law commands (NCV)

the good which the law says to doOtomi Back Translation on TW.

law: Here this word refers to the laws that God gave to the Jews. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to laws in general. If that is true in your language, explain it in the text. For example:

God’s law (NLT)

the law of Moses

is written on their hearts: The phrase is written on is used as a metaphor here. It means “exists in.” The Gentiles often behave as if they already know how God wants them to behave. In some languages a literal translation would not be natural. If that is true in your language, translate without the metaphor. For example:

is in their hearts

they know

their hearts: Here the word hearts refers figuratively to the inner being, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the inner being. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

their insides/livers

their mind and will

2:15b

their consciences also bearing witness,

Their consciences also show that to be true,
Their own memory of past deeds also show that,
Their own thoughts about what they have done also tell them about right and wrong,

their consciences also bearing witness: This indicates that the consciences of Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Their consciences also show that this is true (GNT)

to this their conscience gives supporting witness (REB)

Their minds also confirm that that is trueKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

consciences: The Greek word that the BSB translates as consciences refers to the record of past deeds that a person has in his mind and causes him to feel ashamed or guilty when he does something wrong.See Dunn (page 101), Schreiner (page 123), or Jewett (page 215). It also makes him feel good when he does what is right. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Their minds also confirm that that is true, because their minds are the very-thing that tells them whether what they are doing is good or bad.Kankanaey Back Translation on TW.

they say in their hearts: “That action is wrong,” or they say: “That action is good.”Uma Back Translation on TW.

They know in their minds what is good and what is bad to do.Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

2:15c–d

and their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The word and indicates here that the thoughts of the Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts.

their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The Greek word that the BSB translates as thoughts is literally “between-one-another thoughts.” It refers to the thoughts of Gentiles, some which accuse them when they have done wrong, and some which commend them when they have done right. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them (NIV11)

thoughts that say they did wrong or sometimes even say they did right

their minds tell them whether what they are doing is bad or good

think “That action is wrong,” or “That action is good.”

2:15c

and their thoughts either accusing

and their thoughts sometimes accuse them
as well as thoughts which condemn their actions
and when they think, “What I did then was wrong,”

thoughts either accusing: In some languages the word thoughts cannot go with the word accusing. See the above examples.

2:15d

or defending them

and even sometimes defend them.
and thoughts which approve their actions.
or when they think “What I did then was right,” it also proves that they know the ways/ideas of God’s law.

or defending them: Here the Greek includes a word that is usually translated as “even.” The BSB omits this word. It indicates that much more often the thoughts of Gentiles accuse them and their thoughts only occasionally “defend them.”

defending: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as defending refers to explaining behavior so that someone else will see that that behavior was acceptable. In this case, a Gentile might give reasons why he thinks that what he did was a good deed. Here are other ways to translate this word:

excuse (ESV)

tell them they are doing right (NLT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου, γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν

who ˓are˒_displaying (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τό ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτόν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως καί μεταξύ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἤ καί ἀπολογουμένων)

Paul speaks of the non-Jewish people obeying some basic rules from the law of Moses as if they were showing the work of the law to other people. He means that non-Jewish people demonstrate that they naturally understand some rules of the law by obeying those rules. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who make others aware that they understand the work of the law]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου, γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τό ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτόν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως καί μεταξύ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἤ καί ἀπολογουμένων)

Here Paul speaks of the works of the law as if they can be written on the surfaces of peoples’ hearts. He means that God has enabled non-Jewish people to know generally what is right or wrong even though they do not know the law of Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they know the work of the law]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου

Paul is using the possessive form to describe the work that characterizes obeying the law. This phrase has a similar meaning to “the things of the law” in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [the work that the law requires a person to do]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [God wrote on their hearts]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν

in the hearts ˱of˲_them

See how you translated “heart” in [1:21](../01/21.md).

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

συνμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως

Paul uses the singular conscience figuratively to refer to the individual consciences of these people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: [their consciences bearing witness]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

συνμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως

Here Paul speaks of conscience as if it were a person bearing witness in a courtroom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their conscience confirms that this is true]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

συνμαρτυρούσης & καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων, τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων

This clause explains what bearing witness means. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the relationship between these phrases clearer or begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: [bearing witness, namely, the thoughts of each person both accusing or even defending them]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων, τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων