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Can God justly condemn someone who is ignorant of the Mosaic Law? Paul says the answer is 鈥測es鈥�: 鈥淔or when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them鈥� (ESV).

In the book of Romans, there are several passages that seem to support the idea that ignorance of the Mosaic Law pardons sinful behavior. For instance, in Romans 5:13, Paul says, 鈥淪in indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law鈥� (ESV). And in Romans 7:7, Paul asks, 鈥淲hat then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 鈥榊ou shall not covet鈥欌�� (ESV). A reasonable inference is that God cannot condemn people who are ignorant of the Mosaic Law, but is that a proper conclusion to draw?

According to Paul, God can justly condemn people for sin because the 鈥渓aw is written on their hearts鈥� (Romans 2:15, ESV). No, not the Mosaic Law, but God鈥檚 absolute and universal moral law. God鈥檚 moral law is manifest to everyone—both Jew and Gentile. Paul says, 鈥淭he wrath of God is revealed from against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse鈥� (Romans 1:18–20, ESV). Creation, then, reveals enough about God to hold people accountable for sin and unbelief.

Gentiles may not have the Mosaic Law, but they naturally 鈥渄o what the law requires鈥� (Romans 2:14, ESV). How can this be? Again, they possess an internal awareness of God鈥檚 moral law. This makes them a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Mosaic Law. There are many unsaved people who believe that it is wrong to murder someone or commit rape or steal someone鈥檚 possessions or commit adultery. The list goes on. These things reveal that God鈥檚 鈥渓aw is written on their hearts鈥� (Romans 2:15, ESV).

Whether they are Jew or Gentile, God justly condemns people for sin and unbelief. He has provided sufficient evidence for His existence and righteous demands, yet sinners suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Those who suppress the truth cannot stand before God and say they were ignorant of it. No, they will all give an account some day: 鈥淭he Son of Man is going to come in his Father鈥檚 glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done鈥� (Matthew 16:27).