18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
18 And knowest his will, and approvest
18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
18 a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines!
18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 2:18
Commentary on Romans 2:17-24
(Read 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 evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many 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 lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.