2:18a

if: The if from 2:17a affects this verse as well. So the Berean Standard Bible repeats the word here. Consider how to make that connection clear in your language. See the note on if at 2:17a.

know His will: This clause indicates that the Jews know what God wants to do and what he wants them and other people to do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

know what he wants (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
know what he wants you to do (New Century Version)
-or-
know the Lord’s desire

2:18b

approve: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as approve :

(1) It means approve here. Here the Greek word means “judge as good or genuine based on examination or testing.”

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means evaluate. Here the Greek word means “examine” or “test.” For example:

determine (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that fits the context best.

what is superior: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as superior :

(1) It means something better. For example:

excellent (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means right (versus wrong). For example:

what is right (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that fits the context best.

General Comment on 2:18b

Following both first interpretations above, the clause indicates that the Jews call as good those deeds that God calls good. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

approve of what is excellent (English Standard Version)
-or-
call important deeds good

2:18c

because: This word introduces the reason for the previous statement. Some languages need to put the reason first. If that is true in your language, reorder 2:18b–c to use “therefore.” For example:

18c you are instructed from the law, therefore 18b you approve what is excellent

you are instructed by the law: There are several ways to translate the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by. Here are the two main ones:

(1) It means from here. The law is the source of the instruction.

(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means by here. This word indicates that the law itself is doing the instructing. For example:

you are instructed by the law (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems likely that Paul would have used a different Greek word if he wanted to clearly indicate by.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊others⌋ have instructed you from the law
-or-

⌊someone⌋ has instructed you from the law

the law: This refers to the first five books of the Bible, but implies the rest of the Old Testament.

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