Written in their Hearts
A Sermon on Romans 2:13-15
Originally preached Nov. 30, 1956
Scripture
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14For 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: …
Sermon Description
Do unsaved people know God's law? Is it fair to judge Gentiles based on a law the Jews received but they did not? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how Paul anticipates that question and shows the universal guilt of all men for disobeying God's commandments. He explains that God has “written the law in their hearts” ¬– the conscience – and even so, all people can be judged according to their moral consciousness. The conscience is an individual’s sense of right and wrong, mostly telling us when something is wrong and condemning us for doing wrong things. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that even though Paul is answering potential questions on salvation, he is not explicitly talking about salvation in this passage. He is, however, talking about those who are under wrath and condemnation. Paul is also very explicit that no one can be justified by living up to the law or by living up to the conscience of their heart because no one can live up to either standard.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with condemnation and judgment, not justification or salvation.
- The passage does not teach that anyone has or can keep the law and be justified. The whole point of Romans 1:18-3:20 is to show that no one is justified by works.
- Verse 13 is not saying some Jews were justified by keeping the law. It is saying the law requires doing, not just hearing.
- The passage does not teach the Gentiles have the law written in their hearts. They have a moral sense and conscience, but not the law itself.
- The passage does not teach we can be saved by living up to the light we have. No one does live up to the light they have.
- If we could be saved by living up to the light we have, Christ would not have been necessary.
- The view that we can be saved by living up to the light we have undermines the need for missionary work. It makes the gospel a higher and impossible standard.
- The positive teaching of the passage will be covered next time.
- Problems like the fate of pagans and people like John the Baptist's parents will be addressed next time.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 2:13-15
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the parenthesis in Romans 2:13-15?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the parenthesis in Romans 2:13-15 serves two purposes: to elaborate on what Paul has been saying in his general statement and to deal with certain objections which he knew many would bring against his argument, both from Jews and Gentiles. The apostle is making his argument clear while anticipating possible objections to his teaching about God's judgment.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain Romans 2:13 regarding "doers of the law"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that in Romans 2:13 ("not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified"), Paul is not saying that anyone can actually keep the law perfectly, but rather is explaining what the law demands. He's highlighting that mere knowledge of the law provides no special exemption from judgment. The law doesn't demand mere hearing but requires complete obedience, which no person has ever accomplished.
What three proofs does Paul give that Gentiles are morally responsible despite not having the Mosaic Law?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul gives three proofs that Gentiles are responsible even without the Mosaic Law: 1. They "show the work of the law written in their hearts" - they demonstrate moral awareness by naturally doing some things the law requires 2. Their "conscience also bearing witness" - they possess an inner moral monitor that tells them what is wrong and condemns them 3. Their "thoughts accusing or excusing one another" - they engage in moral reasoning, debates, and judgments about right and wrong
What false interpretations of Romans 2:13-15 does Dr. Lloyd-Jones refute?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones refutes three major false interpretations: 1. That some Jews were justified by keeping the law 2. That there is a "natural law" written in the hearts of all people identical to the Mosaic Law 3. That pagans who never heard the gospel can save themselves by "living up to the light they have"
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain what "the work of the law written in their hearts" means?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul does not say "the law" is written in their hearts, but rather "the work of the law." This means Gentiles don't have the actual law of God in their hearts, but they demonstrate awareness of moral principles the law addresses. They have a moral sense that leads them to recognize certain actions (like murder or theft) as wrong, even without having received the Mosaic Law.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe it's impossible for anyone to be saved by "living up to the light they have"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several reasons this teaching is false: 1. The entire passage demonstrates that no one ever does live up to the light they have 2. If salvation were possible this way, Christ's death would have been unnecessary 3. This teaching would make missionary work counterproductive (as it would give pagans a higher standard they would fail to meet) 4. The Bible consistently teaches Christ alone is the Savior
What is the purpose of the entire section from Romans 1:18 to 3:20 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the whole purpose of this section is to prove that "no flesh is justified in the presence of God." Paul is demonstrating that both Jews and Gentiles are under condemnation and that "by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight." The entire argument is building to show that "every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be guilty before God."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the conscience?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes conscience as a faculty all humans possess - an inward monitor that tells us certain things are wrong and shouldn't be done. It condemns us when we do wrong. While it's not a perfect instrument (it can be feeble or unenlightened), we must always obey our conscience. Its primary function is negative - to tell us what is wrong rather than what is right. The conscience can be educated and developed, but we should never act against it.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.