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;
• New King James Version (NKJV)and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
• New Living Translation (NLT)You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.

Context of Romans 2:18

16on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—

Romans 2:18 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• knowestγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• willθέλημαthelēma · will/desireG2307
• approvestδοκιμάζωdokimazō · to testG1381
• the things that are more excellentδιαφέρωdiapherō · to spread/surpassG1308
• being instructedκατηχέωkatēcheō · to instructG2727
• out ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551

Cross-references for Romans 2:18

• Deuteronomy 4:8And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
• Nehemiah 9:13You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
• Psalms 147:19He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
• Luke 12:47And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
• John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
• James 4:17So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
• Philippians 1:10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21but test everything; hold fast what is good.
• Hebrews 5:14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
• Romans 15:4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• Psalms 19:8the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
• Psalms 119:98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
• Proverbs 6:23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
• 2 Timothy 3:15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith 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