Romans 2:12

“For as many as have sinned without law, etc..] This is an instance of the strict justice of God, and proves him to be no respecter of persons; for the Gentiles, who were “without law”, the written law of Moses, not without the law of nature in their breasts, nor without some civil laws and statutes of their own; inasmuch as they “sinned” against the God of nature, and the law and light of nature, they shall also perish without law: not that their condemnation and perdition will be illegal, or not in due course of law; but it will not proceed upon, or according to the law of Moses, they never had; and much less for not believing in Christ, of whom they never heard; but their perdition will be…”

“For as many as have sinned--not "as many as have sinned at all," but, "as many as are found in sin" at the judgment of the great day (as the whole context shows). without law--that is, without the advantage of a positive Revelation. shall also perish without law--exempt from the charge of rejecting or disregarding it. and as many as have sinned in the law--within the pale of a positive, written Revelation. shall be judged by the law--tried and condemned by the higher standard of that written Revelation.”

“For - This is used to give a reason for what he had just said, or to show on what principles God would treat man, so as not to be a respecter of persons. As many - Whosoever. This includes all who have done it, and evidently has respect to the Gentile world. It is of the more importance to remark this, because he does not say that it is applicable to a few only, or to great and incorrigible instances of pagan wickedness, but it is a universal, sweeping declaration, obviously including all. Have sinned - Have been guilty of crimes of any kind toward God or man. Sin is the transgression of a rule of conduct, however made known to mankind. Without law - ἀνόμως anomōs. This expression…”

“For as many as have sinned - He speaks as of the time past, for all time will be past at the day of judgment. Without the law - Without having any written law. Shall also perish without the law - Without regard had to any outward law; being condemned by the law written in their hearts. The word also shows the agreement of the manner of sinning, with the manner of suffering. Perish - He could not so properly say, Shall be judged without the law. Romans 2:13”

“2:12 destroyed: This common New Testament word describes the fate of the wicked after death (see also 9:22; 14:15; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:18; 2 Cor 2:15; 4:3; Phil 1:28; 3:19; 2 Thes 2:10; 1 Tim 6:9). Condemned sinners do not cease to exist, but they suffer eternal punishment, which includes the everlasting destruction of all good in their identity and experience. • the Jews, who do have God’s law: The Jews were given the law of Moses, while the Gentiles never had God’s written law. In the New Testament period, Jews emphasized their possession of the law as a mark of God’s favor and even as a guarantee of salvation.”

“For: Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15, Rom 1:18-21, Rom 1:32; Eze 16:49, Eze 16:50; Mat 11:22, Mat 11:24; Luk 10:12-15, Luk 12:47, Luk 12:48; Joh 19:11; Act 17:30, Act 17:31 in the law: Rom 2:16, Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20, Rom 4:15, Rom 7:7-11, Rom 8:3; Deu 27:26; Co2 3:7-9; Gal 2:16-19; Gal 3:10, Gal 3:22; Jam 2:10; Rev 20:12-15 Romans 2:13”