Jews and Gentiles together. Paul has already declared the accountability of the heathen in ch. 1:20, 32.

 In view of the evidence presented, men have no excuse to offer (Rom. 2:1; cf. Ps. 63:11).

 Literally, “in the law”; that is, subject to the authority of the law (see ch. 2:12).

The first “saith” is the translation of the Gr. legō, which here highlights the subject matter of what is spoken. The second “saith” is the translation of the Gr. laleō, which refers to the expression of the law. The first word is applicable particularly to the matter contained in the law, whereas the second refers especially to its proclamation. This distinction between the two words is illustrated in the translation, “all that the law says is addressed to those who are subject to the law.”

 The article is present also in the Greek (see on ch. 2:12). The reference is generally understood to be to the OT Scriptures, from which Paul has drawn the previous quotations. The OT was divided into three collections of books, the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or Writings (see Vol. I, p. 37). But the full title as it appears in Luke 24:44 was rarely used, and all three divisions might be referred to as the law and the prophets (Rom. 3:21; cf. Matt. 5:17; 22:40; etc.), or simply the law (see on John 10:34). In order to bring home more directly to the Jews the evidence of the Scriptures, and to prevent any attempt on their part to shift the reference from themselves to the Gentiles, Paul calls attention to the fact that the OT, from which he has been quoting, speaks especially to those to whom it was given. The Jews acknowledged the divine inspiration of the OT, which denounced so specifically the sins of the Jewish nation. Therefore they could hardly evade Paul’s conclusion that they should rightfully be regarded as sharing with the Gentiles in the universal guilt of man.

 A common expression with Paul, in reference to something generally conceded (see on ch. 2:2; see chs. 7:14; 8:22; etc.).

 Gr. hupodikos, a word occurring only here in the NT and not found in the LXX. In classical Greek it means “liable to prosecution,” and may be followed by a reference to the violated law or to the injured party or rightful prosecutor. The passage may here be rendered, “become accountable to God,” or “become answerable to God.” God is thus represented as having a controversy with sinners (see Jer. 25:31). Paul may be speaking here of God as not only the injured party but also as the judge (Rom. 2:5, 6, 16).