Free Bible Commentary
“Romans 16:17-27”
Categories: Romans“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. [ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Paul issues a final warning to the brethren in Rome before bringing his letter to a close. He emphatically “urges” them to keep their eyes “on” or “open” for false teachers (verse 17). To watch out for people who would disseminate doctrine that was “contrary to the teaching” that they had learned from reliable sources that they knew was the truth. The false teaching of such men would produce “dissensions and hindrances”.
Dissensions are “divisions” which are condemned as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:20. One of the seven things that is said to be particularly detestable to the Lord is “one who spreads strife among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). We should all be on the lookout, but especially the leaders of a local church, for anyone who would teach anything that would cause divisions in the precious, blood-bought body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
Paul says that these men “by their smooth and flattering speech…deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (verse 18). There are two factors that make a person or a congregation of the Lord’s church susceptible to the false teacher and his damnable falsehoods. First of all, he is able to “deceive” people because, more times than not, he is a very smooth-talking flatterer. As I write this article, the face of one world-renown, smooth-talking, sweetly smiling “preacher” crystallizes in my mind.
The other pertinent factor is that the smooth talk of the false teacher usually hits its mark with “the hearts of the unsuspecting.” The word “unsuspecting” indicates the type of person that is “innocent,” “naïve,” or “unwary”. While innocence can be a very commendable quality, none of us can afford to be “unwary”. We are encouraged to be “wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil” (verse 19). We all must be alert and on the lookout for “wolves” that are bent upon destroying God’s people (Acts 20:29).
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” If we are going to “resist him” firm in our faith (1 Peter 5:9), we need to be equipped with a good, working knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and with a vigilant mind that is constantly on the lookout.
Remember that Satan is the ultimate source of false teaching (verse 20). God will soon destroy this murderer so lets make certain that we are not “crushed” along with “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Refuse to be a victim! Be prepared to see through the lies that are often hidden in smooth, eloquent speech! “Turn away” from such troublemakers (verse 17)! Don’t give them the opportunity to pollute your mind and compromise your faith! The elders of a local church must not give men like this a platform to spew their poison!
After Paul makes mention of a few of his fellow workers and extends their greetings to the brethren in Rome (verses 21-23), he closes this amazing epistle with a most beautiful “doxology” (verses 25-27). A doxology is a kind of short hymn that expresses praise to God. It is only fitting that Paul would end such an unparalleled masterpiece with a majestic form of praise and honor that is only befitting our Creator and Savior.
“To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
And to that ending I also echo, “Amen!”
We will have an introduction to 1 Corinthians chapter 1 for tomorrow, Lord willing.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
