For as many as have sinned without Law ( ἀνόμως) shall also perish without Law ( ἀνόμως). Their perdition, if it ensues, will not be due to transgression of a code they had not, but to sin against such light as they had; if without knowledge of Law they sinned, without reference to Law their doom will he, And as many as have sinned in Law (or, under Law.
ἐν νόμῳ denotes the condition in which they were; cf. ἐν περιτομῇ and ἐν ὀκροβυστίᾳ, Romans 4:10) shall be judged by Law. The requirements of the Law which they knew they will be held accountable for transgressing— κριθήσονται here, instead of ἀπολοῦνται, because a definite standard of judgment is supposed (cf.
Psalms 1:1-6.).