Romans 2:18
And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Romans 2:18 in other translations
| BSB | if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; |
|---|---|
| WEB | know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, |
| ASV | and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, |
| YLT | and dost know the will, and dost approve the distinctions, being instructed out of the law, |
| DARBY | and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; |
| BBE | And have knowledge of his desires, and are a judge of the things which are different, having the learning of the law, |
| Webster | And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law, |
What does Romans 2:18 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 2:17-24
17-24. 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).
Barnes' Notes
And approvest. The word used here is capable of two interpretations. It may mean 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 anything; to ascertain its nature, quality, etc., Lk 12:56. This is probably its meaning here, referring rather to the intellectual process of discriminating, than to the moral process of approving. It could not, perhaps, be said with propriety-- at least the scope of the passage does not properly suppose this--that the Jew approved or loved the things of God; but the scope of the passage is, that the Jew valued himself on his knowledge of that which was conformable to the will of God. Rom 14:1 and following.
The things that are more excellent. The word here translated more excellent denotes, properly the things that differ from others, and then also the things that excel. It has an ambiguity similar to the word translated "approved." If the interpretation of that word above given is correct, then this word here means those things that differ from others. The reference is to the rites and customs, to the distinctions of meats and days, etc., prescribed by the law of Moses. The Jew would pride himself on the fact that he had been taught by the law to make these distinctions, while all the heathen world had been left in ignorance of them. This was one of the advantages on which he valued himself and his religion.
Being instructed, etc. That is, in regard to the one God, his will, and the distinguishing rites of his worship.
(a) "And knowest" Ps 147:19,20 (1) "and approvest", or "triest the things that differ" (b) "the things" Php 1:10
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 2:17-24
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…
Romans 2:18 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 2:18
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Deuteronomy 4:8
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
- Philippians 1:10
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
- Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- Psalms 119:104-105
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. נ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Luke 12:47
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- Psalms 147:19-20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.
- Psalms 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
- Psalms 119:98-100
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
De 4:8; Ne 9:13,14; Ps 147:19,20; Lu 12:47; Joh 13:17; 1Co 8:1,2
Jas 4:17
approves the things that are more excellent. or, triest thethings that differ.
Php 1:10; *marg:
1Th 5:21; Heb 5:14
being instructed.
15:4; Ps 19:8; 119:98-100,104,105,130; Pr 6:23; 2Ti 3:15-17
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 2:17
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
- Romans 2:18
And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
- Romans 2:19
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
Romans 2:18 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y sabes su voluntad, y apruebas lo mejor, instruído por la ley; |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | et que tu connaisses la volonté, et que tu saches discerner les choses excellentes, étant instruit par la loi, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | und den Willen kennst und das Vorzüglichere unterscheidest, indem du aus dem Gesetz unterrichtet bist, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | et nosti voluntatem ejus, et probas utiliora, instructus per legem, |