Romans 2:14,15 - They are a law to themselves

2:14

So Paul has shown how in condemning the Gentiles the Jews were actually condemning themselves as well. Now he puts a reverse slant on it. So when the Gentiles do the things that the Law requires, even though they do not have the Law, “they are a Law unto themselves”. This latter phrase is used in common parlance, but is totally misused! We use it to mean someone is one of a kind, living life their way. What Paul means here is that the Gentile is doing good. The Law did not create what was good. Good and evil were good and evil long before the Law came in. E.g. murder has always been wrong, just look at Cain and Abel.

2:15

The Law, meaning here a sense of what is right and wrong, is written on men’s hearts. All societies have very similar moral codes. Muder, lying, theft are all wrong everywhere. Marriage is seen as a good thing. Now no society keeps these things well. Sometimes in societies there is a complete breakdown. In some countries corruption is utterly rampant, in others violence dominates.In the West there is an increasing breakdown of respect for marriage and sexual morality. All people have a sense of right and wrong.