Romans 2:18

Romans 2:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
• New International Version (NIV)if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
• English Standard Version (ESV)and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
• New King James Version (NKJV)and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

Context of Romans 2:18

16in [the] day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my glad tidings, by Jesus Christ. 17But if thou art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God, and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who [are] in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law:

Romans 2:18 word by word

καὶ γινώσκεις τὸ θέλημα καὶ δοκιμάζεις τὰ διαφέροντα κατηχούμενος ἐκ τοῦ νόμου·Read the interlinear

• moreδιαφέρωdiapherō · to spread/surpassG1308
• instructedκατηχέωkatēcheō · to instructG2727
• lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551

Cross-references for Romans 2:18

• Deuteronomy 4:8And what great nation is there that hath righteous statutes and ordinances, as all this law which I set before you this day?
• Nehemiah 9:13And thou camest down on mount Sinai, and didst speak with them from the heavens, and gavest them right judgments and true laws, good statutes and commandments.
• Psalms 147:19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
• Luke 12:47But that bondman who knew his own lord's will, and had not prepared [himself] nor done his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes];
• John 13:17If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1But concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know, (for we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
• James 4:17To him therefore who knows how to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
• Philippians 1:10that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21but prove all things, hold fast the right;
• Hebrews 5:14but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil.
• Romans 15:4For as many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
• Psalms 19:8The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes;
• Psalms 119:98Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever with me.
• Proverbs 6:23For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
• 2 Timothy 3:15and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which [is] in Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on Romans 2:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Knowest his will - Hast been favored with a revelation of his own will, immediately from himself. The things that are more excellent - , The things that differ - that revelation which God has given of himself makes the nicest distinctions between right and wrong; between vice and virtue; showing how you should walk so as to please God, and, consequently, acquire the most excellent portion that human spirits can have on this side heaven: for all these…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18And knowest his will - The will or commands of God. This knowledge they obtained from the Scriptures; and of course in this they were distinguished from other nations. And approvest - The word used here is capable of two interpretations. It may mean either to distinguish, or to approve. The word is properly and usually applied to the process of testing or trying metals by fire. Hence, it comes to be used in a general sense to try or to distinguish…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-24Verses 17-24 The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-20The pride of the Jews reflects Old Testament and Jewish teachings about the privileges and responsibilities God gave to Israel. God gave his law to Israel, formed a special relationship with them, and gave them the task of being a spiritual light to the Gentiles (see Isaiah 42:6–7). Jews were not wrong to enjoy these blessings; their error was in failing to live up to their privileged position.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2417-24. Behold--"But if" is, beyond doubt, the true reading here. (It differs but in a single letter from the received reading, and the sense is the same).Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 2:18

• Formalism
• Hypocrisy
• Instruction
• Self-Righteousness
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Accuse
• Boast
• Continuance
• Doer
• Excuse
• Fall of man
• Forbearance
• Sure
• Treasure
• Bible, the

Commentaries on Romans 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings