Romans 2 12

Romans 2:12 kjv

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 2:12 nkjv

For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

Romans 2:12 niv

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

Romans 2:12 esv

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

Romans 2:12 nlt

When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God's written law. And the Jews, who do have God's law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.

Romans 2 verses

Romans 2 12 Meaning

Romans 2:12 declares that God's judgment is impartial and justly applied to all humanity based on the revelation they have received. Those who have sinned without the specific written Law of Moses (typically Gentiles) will perish, condemned based on their actions and the light of conscience and natural revelation. Conversely, those who have sinned under the Mosaic Law (primarily Jews) will be judged according to that very Law, which serves as a standard condemning their failure to obey it perfectly. This verse establishes the universal accountability for sin before God, highlighting that all people, regardless of their background or access to specific revelation, stand guilty before a holy God.

Romans 2 12 Context

Romans chapter 2 commences with Paul addressing self-righteous judgment, particularly of Jews who condemned Gentiles while committing similar sins. He emphasizes God's righteous and impartial judgment, which is based on truth and not outward appearances or lineage. Verse 12 is central to Paul's argument for the universal need for salvation by grace through faith. It elaborates how both Jews and Gentiles are accountable before God, yet through different means. For the Jews, the Law itself will testify to their sin, while for the Gentiles, their moral conscience, which reflects an unwritten law, will be their witness. This sets the stage for Romans chapter 3, where Paul declares that all, without exception, are under the power of sin, making clear that neither group can achieve righteousness on their own merits before God.

Romans 2 12 Word analysis

• "For as many as" (γὰρ ὅσοι - gar hosoi): The "For" connects this statement to the preceding truth of God's righteous judgment. "As many as" signifies inclusivity; no individual within these categories is exempt from this principle. It speaks of all people falling into two broad groups concerning God's law.
• "have sinned" (ἥμαρτον - hēmarton): An aorist verb form, indicating a completed past action or a state of having sinned. This is not hypothetical; it's a foundational statement that all humanity has missed God's standard. The root meaning is "to miss the mark" or "fall short."
• "without law" (ἀνόμως - anomōs): This adverb means "lawlessly" or "without (the) Law." It specifically refers to those who did not possess the Mosaic Law (Torah), typically Gentiles. It does not imply that they are innocent, but that their accountability is not tied to a specific written code but to inherent moral principles and natural revelation.
• "will also perish" (καὶ ἀπολοῦνται - kai apolountai): "And will be utterly destroyed/ruined." "Perish" signifies a state of ultimate condemnation and separation from God, a spiritual ruin. While it does not necessarily imply annihilation, it speaks to eternal adverse consequences resulting from sin.
• "without law" (ἀνόμως - anomōs): The repetition emphasizes the framework of their judgment. They are judged "lawlessly" not in the sense of anarchy, but according to the absence of specific Mosaic legislation they did not possess, based on their inherent knowledge of right and wrong.
• "and as many as have sinned" (καὶ ὅσοι ἥμαρτον - kai hosoi hēmarton): Continues the parallel, applying the same truth of universal sinfulness to the other group, the ones "under the law."
• "under the law" (ἐν νόμῳ - en nomō): Literally "in law" or "within law." This refers to those who possessed the written Mosaic Law, primarily the Jews. It denotes being under its authority, revelation, and standard. Their greater light implies greater responsibility.
• "will be judged by the law" (διὰ νόμου κριθήσονται - dia nomou krithesontai): "Through the law they will be judged." The Law itself becomes the criterion, the witness, and the very standard that convicts them. It reveals their sin and condemns their inability to fulfill its perfect requirements. The verb "will be judged" implies an official, decisive divine reckoning.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "sinned without law" vs. "sinned under the law": This critical contrast sets up two primary groups for Paul's argument on universal human sinfulness. It highlights that sin is a reality for all, regardless of the explicit nature of divine revelation they received. The different terminologies reflect different standards of accountability, but not different statuses of guilt.
  • "will also perish without law" vs. "will be judged by the law": Although "perish" and "judged" are used, the outcomes are equally dire for both. "Perish" denotes final ruin and condemnation, an outcome of judgment. It signifies that even those without the explicit Law are not exempt from the severe consequences of sin. This distinction in wording maintains clarity about the varying degrees of knowledge but implies the same ultimate destiny of condemnation apart from Christ.

Romans 2 12 Bonus section

This verse directly refutes any assumption that ignorance absolves guilt entirely, while simultaneously disarming any self-righteous pride that possessing the Law inherently guarantees salvation. Paul shows that a greater light (the Law) means greater accountability, not automatic favor. It highlights the absolute necessity of God's grace for all humanity, dismantling any human claim to righteousness based on ethnicity, privilege, or a lack of explicit knowledge.

Romans 2 12 Commentary

Romans 2:12 succinctly states the principle of divine judgment, showcasing God's profound impartiality and justice. Paul establishes that whether one has had access to the detailed written Law (the Jews) or only to the general moral law discernible through conscience and creation (the Gentiles), both groups have sinned. The Law, a precious gift to Israel intended to reveal God's perfect standard and guide them, ultimately becomes their condemner because of their inherent failure to keep it. For Gentiles, though without the specific Mosaic code, their rejection of the innate moral knowledge and their disregard for God evident in creation renders them accountable. The consequence for both groups is negative: "perishing" and "being judged" indicate condemnation, highlighting that humanity is universally lost outside of God's provision. This verse masterfully prepares the ground for Paul's grand reveal: since all are found guilty, salvation must come by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the only one who fulfilled the Law and atoned for the sins of all. For example, a person born in a remote village who never heard the name Jesus is still accountable for how they lived according to their conscience and the witness of creation (Rom 1:20), just as someone brought up in a religious household with ample biblical teaching will be held to the higher standard of that knowledge.