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 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

16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 17Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19and are confident 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 babes, having the form of knowledge and 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

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 such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
• Nehemiah 9:13“You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments.
• Psalms 147:19He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
• Luke 12:47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
• John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
• James 4:17Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
• Philippians 1:10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21Test all things; hold fast what is good.
• Hebrews 5:14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
• Romans 15:4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
• Psalms 19:8The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
• Psalms 119:98You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
• Proverbs 6:23For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
• 2 Timothy 3:15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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