Romans 2:14

(for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves;

'The law' -i.e. the Law of Moses

'By nature' -'a mode of feeling and acting which by long habit has become nature' (Thayer p. 660)

Some try to make these verses teach that people instinctively know the difference between right and wrong, that all are born with. 'law on the heart'.. find the following difficulties with this view. The New Covenant was said to be written on the heart (Hebrews 8:10), but it entered men's minds/heart through teaching. (Mark 16:15; John 6:44). Where is the man that was born 'knowing God's law'? If one is born 'instinctively knowing right from wrong', then why all the commands to parents to 'instruct' children? (Ephesians 6:4) And the Hebrew writer argues that those who know the difference between good and evil are students of the word (Hebrews 5:14). In addition,. repeatedly find the Scriptures arguing the point very strongly, that one cannot go on the 'instincts' they are born with, when searching for the "right" path. (Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 16:25; Jeremiah 2:23)

I think McGuiggan is right when he says, "You see, it is one thing to be born with. capacity for obedience. a moral capacity (the ability to obey or reject God), but it is another to be born with. knowledge of HOW to express that moral capacity. Having the capacity to obey God is one thing, knowing what to do is another."

'the things of the law' -obviously the Law of Moses is under consideration (Romans 2:26).

In the O.T. we find. number of Gentiles or those of non-Hebrew heritage, recognizing various moral commands that we later find incorporated in the Law of Moses. (Genesis 20:9; Genesis 26:10). maintain that such 'knowledge of right and wrong' was gained through teaching.