Devine Scripture

Romans 2:18

What does Romans 2:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 2:18 means

The Jew Paul addresses knows God’s will and approves what is excellent because he has been instructed from the Law. This is a real advantage: the Law reveals God’s character and standards. Properly received, such knowledge should produce discernment and a life aligned with what pleases God. But knowledge can puff up if it is not joined to obedience. Paul is not diminishing the Law’s value; he is exposing the danger of mistaking information for transformation. To approve excellent things while excusing personal disobedience is to turn privilege into pretense, trading the substance of holiness for the shadow of expertise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And have knowledge of his desires, and are a judge of the things which are different, having the learning of the law,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and dost know the will, and dost approve the distinctions, being instructed out of the law,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And knowest his will and approvest the more profitable things, being instructed by the law:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

Context

Verse 18 elaborates the privileges introduced in verse 17: knowing God’s will and having discernment formed by the Law. Verses 19–20 will continue by listing roles Jews might claim—guides, lights, teachers—on the basis of this knowledge. The point is not to deny these callings but to set up the searching contrast in verses 21–23, which will ask whether those who teach others also teach themselves.

v.17But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,

v.18This passage

v.19and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 4:17

    To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  • Psalms 119:98

    Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.

  • Psalms 119:104

    Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. נ NUN.

  • Deuteronomy 4:8

    And what great nation is there, that hath statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

  • Hebrews 5:14

    But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

  • Psalms 119:130

    The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.

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