Rom 2:15  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) ASV

Rom 2:15  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;) KJV

Rom 2:15  who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing with them, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing, LITV
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                                COMMENTARY

  The vs does -not- say that the law is written on the heart. If it did then why would God have to write something on the heart that is already there by nature? Jer 31:33 Heb 8:10 / 10:16. Rather, it says that the Gentiles do show the -work- of the law written in their hearts. What is the "work of the law"? It is the practice of accusing and/or excusing the actions of others. It is that which shows men to be what they are by nature; moral creatures who are accountable for their actions. This is strikingly illustrated for us by the terminology found in the rest of the vs; ...their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; Accusing or excusing are the activities of approving or condemning the actions of others. This is so because men are, by nature, moral creatures. To say that this passage teaches that all men "know" God because the law of God is written in their hearts is to miss the true meaning of the passage.

Question: What is righteousness?  It's conformity to any moral standard of right and wrong. What’s a Standard? Anything that determines right & wrong!  Therefore, Rightesness is...  The ability to do\perform that which is morally correct according to a given standard. Jam 1.22   Lk 6.46,47  Rom 2.13   All human behavior is subject to the approval or disapproval of all moral beings! This is so because we are by nature, moral creatures. Accusing & excusing, whether of ourselves or others, are activities which give evidence to moral consciousness and therefore point to our indestructible moral nature. In all places, in all ages, men in their mutual relationships are continually accusing or excusing, condemning or commending  human conduct. This then is the ‘work of the law’ which is in the heart of every man by nature. We are all little mini-judges by nature! And, as God Himself is an infinitely perfect Moral Being, He is therefore the ultimate Righteous Judge of all other moral creatures and their actions. When it comes to man and his relationship to God, all men are automatically under the canopy of His Divine Dis-approval! This is what Romans 1-3 is all about! The most pressing need of every human being is to get to the place where he meets with God’s approval. This is what the Gospel is all about.

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