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

16This happens as they face the day when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge people’s secret thoughts. He will use the Good News that I am spreading to make that judgment. 17You call yourself a Jew, rely on the laws in Moses’ Teachings, brag about your God, know what he wants, and distinguish right from wrong because you have been taught Moses’ Teachings. 19You are confident that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in the dark, 20an instructor of ignorant people, and a teacher of children because you have the full content of knowledge and truth in Moses’ Teachings.

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 4:8Or what other great nation has such fair laws and rules as all these teachings I am giving you today?
• Nehemiah 9:13You came from heaven to Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings, and good laws and commandments.
• Psalms 147:19He speaks his word to Jacob, his laws and judicial decisions to Israel.
• Luke 12:47“The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t get ready to do it will receive a hard beating.
• John 13:17If you understand all of this, you are blessed whenever you follow my example.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up.
• James 4:17Whoever knows what is right but doesn’t do it is sinning.
• Philippians 1:10That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.
• Hebrews 5:14However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.
• Romans 15:4Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us.
• Psalms 19:8The instructions of the Lord are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the Lord is radiant. It makes the eyes shine.
• Psalms 119:98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, because your commandments are always with me.
• Proverbs 6:23because the command is a lamp, the teachings are a light, and the warnings from discipline are the path of life
• 2 Timothy 3:15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved 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