Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 2:18
Verse 18. Knowest his will] Hast been favoured with a revelation of his own will, immediately from himself. The things that are more excellent] ta disferonta, 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 blessings ye acknowledge to receive from your law, being instructed, kathcoumenov, being catechized, from your infancy, in the knowledge of Divine things.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. And knowest his will , etc..] Not the secret will or purpose of God; nor his revealed will in the Gospel, for of this they were ignorant; but his declared will in the law, showing what is to be done, and what is not to be done: to know which in express terms was a privilege, that other people had not; but then the bare knowledge of this will be of no avail: for persons may know their Lord's will, as the Jews did, and not do it, and so be worthy to be beaten with many stripes: and approvest the things that are more excellent : or triest the things that differ; from one another, and from the will and law of God; or as the Syriac, discernest atylw , things that are convenient; agreeable, which are fit and ought to be done: and having tried and discerned them, they approved of them in their judgment as the things more excellent; but then they did not put these excellent things in practice which they approved of; and the knowledge and approbation they had of these things, arose from their being instructed out of the law , and not the Gospel; for the excellent things of the Gospel, they had no discerning, knowledge and approbation of; (see Philippians 1:10).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-24 - The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sin they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vai pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the roo and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, an 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 is, the dishonour done to God an religion, by their not living according to their profession. Man despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy live dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ γινωσκεις 1097 5719 V-PAI-2S το 3588 T-ASN θελημα 2307 N-ASN και 2532 CONJ δοκιμαζεις 1381 5719 V-PAI-2S τα 3588 T-APN διαφεροντα 1308 5723 V-PAP-APN κατηχουμενος 2727 5746 V-PPP-NSM εκ 1537 PREP του 3588 T-GSM νομου 3551 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. The things that are more excellent (ta diaferonta). This may be the meaning, and it is adopted by Rev. with the proper omission of more. But it may also mean the things which differ; in which case we shall render provest instead of approvest. The sense will then be: thou dost test with nice discrimination questions of casuistry. Compare Philip. i. 10. The latter interpretation seems preferable, being borne out by the succeeding being instructed.Being instructed (kathcoumenov). Systematically through catechetical and synagoguic instruction. See on Luke i. 4. This formal instruction is the basis of the critical discrimination.
