Charles Ellicott Commentary 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;" — Romans 2:14 (ASV)

A sort of parenthesis begins here. Romans 2:16 refers back to the main subject of the paragraph, and not to the particular point on which the Apostle digresses in Romans 2:14-15, the virtual operation of law among the Gentiles as well as Jews.

By nature.—Spontaneously; on their own accord; not acting under the coercion of any external rule, but simply by the promptings of their own conscience left to itself.

The things contained in the law.—Literally, the things of the law. In this one instance the article is used, meaning, however, not “the law of Moses,” but “of this law,” or “of such law”—i.e., the ideal law spoken of just before.