Romans Chapter 2 verse 18 Holy Bible
and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
read chapter 2 in ASV
And have knowledge of his desires, and are a judge of the things which are different, having the learning of the law,
read chapter 2 in BBE
and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
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And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
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read chapter 2 in WBT
and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
read chapter 2 in WEB
and dost know the will, and dost approve the distinctions, being instructed out of the law,
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 18. - And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent (δοκιμάζεις τὰ διαφέροντα, a phrase capable also of the meaning, "provest the things which differ," i.e. distinguishest between right and wrong; for δοκιμάζειν may mean either "to prove," or "to approve" after trial, and τὰ διαφέροντα either "things which differ," or "things which surpass." Exactly the same expression occurs in Philippians 1:10, with the same uncertainty of meaning. The difference is unimportant, both interpretations coming to the same thing), being instructed (κατηχούμενος, which implies regular training, whether catechetically in youth, or through rabbinical and synagogic teaching) out of the Law. So far the Jew's own claims on the ground of his own position have been touched on; what follows expresses his attitude with regard to others. We may observe throughout a vein of irony.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) His will.--Literally, the will--i.e., "the supreme will."Approvest the things that are more excellent.--Probably rightly given in the Authorised version, though the marginal rendering also is possible, "triest the things that differ"--i.e., "art able to discriminate between good and evil."Being instructed.--With reference to the constant reading of the Law in the synagogue.
