Romans Chapter 2 Vs. 12

God's Judgment and the Law

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Rom 2:12

For as many... Not only is it stated in Rom. 2:7-11 that God will judge on the basis of character and conduct, but here (Rom. 2:12-16) it is stated that He will judge character and conduct on the basis of light received.

also perish without... No Mosaic law will be cited against non-Jews.

God’s impartiality in judgment is also seen in the fact that He will deal with people in accordance with the dispensation in which they live. “The Law was given through Moses” (John 1:17), which marks the beginning of the dispensation of Law. The Law was provided for God’s Chosen People Israel, and the Gentiles were considered outside the Law. Therefore Paul declared, All who (lit., “as many as”) sin apart from the Law (lit., “without Law”) will also perish apart from the Law. Gentiles who sin will perish, but the Law of Moses will not be used as a standard of judgment against them. On the other hand the Jews who sin under (lit., “in the sphere of”) the Law will be judged by the Law. The Gentiles are not excused from God’s judgment, but they will not be judged according to the standard (the Mosaic Law) that was not given to them.