Thought On This Chapter
ROM 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them.
ROM 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.
Paul gives a warning to mark those that cause divisions
and offences, but notice it is in the area of doctrine. This is clearly a
warning to mark false teachers and then to avoid them.
False teachers are nothing new. They were
around before the New Testament was even finished. And they are around in
abundance today. As New Testament believers we are to avoid them and not
go sit in a stadium and listen to them.
We are told in verse 18 that people who teach contrary
to the doctrine of the Bible do not serve Christ. They will say they do,
but if they really did, then they would teach sound doctrine. It often
then comes up, how then can they have a bigger crowd. Many will use the
size of the crowd to try to justify the false teaching. The size of the
crowd in no way justifies the message. The Bible is what is to justify the
message.
If the Bible is to be used to justify the teaching, and
they are teaching contrary to the Bible, then how do they get a big crowd.
The answer is in verse 18. "and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple."
They talk a good talk and use good words. They
use feel good messages and fair speeches. What they say sounds good on the
surface and they say it well. They have personality and can give a message
very professionally. This fair talk that is done well deceives the hearts
of the simple and many are deceived by it.
The people who are deceived do not check out what is
being said with the Bible. They do not study for themselves. This
type of person is referred to as the simple.
Every believer should be a student of the Word for
himself so we can recognize teaching that is contrary to sound doctrine, and
then avoid those false teachers.
Thought On This Chapter
ROM 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and
my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ
before me.
ROM 16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
ROM 16:9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and
Stachys my beloved.
In the final chapter of the book of Romans Paul makes
mention of many fellow Christians who were a blessing to him. Among many
others Paul mentions Andronicus and Junia. They were fellow-prisoners with
Paul at one time. We don't know much else about them, but he adds, "who
are of note among the apostles" These men where obviously note worthy
Christians. People who really served the Lord and ministered to others.
They also loved the Lord more than their freedom and were imprisoned.
Paul mentions Amplias and says, "my beloved in the
Lord." And in verse 9 he mentions Urbane and says he was his helper in
Christ.
All these people were a great blessing to other
Christians. Can that be said of you? How many people will say things
like this about you? Can it be said that you are a fellow helper in
Christ. Do other Christians miss you and think of you, because you were
such a blessing to them?
Even the salutations in the Bible can challenge us to
live more for Jesus.
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King James Bible Main Index:
ROM 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
ROM 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
ROM 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
ROM 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
ROM 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
ROM 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
ROM 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
ROM 16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
ROM 16:9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
ROM 16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
ROM 16:11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
ROM 16:12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
ROM 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
ROM 16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
ROM 16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
ROM 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
ROM 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
ROM 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
ROM 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
ROM 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
ROM 16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
ROM 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
ROM 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
ROM 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
ROM 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
ROM 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
ROM 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
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ROM 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ
Jesus:
ROM 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own
necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the
Gentiles.
ROM 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their
house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto
Christ.
ROM 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
In this chapter of Romans Paul mentions many people who
were a blessing to him and his work for God.
Paul usually gets the credit, but Paul would never have
accomplished what he did without Christians who rolled up their sleeves and got
busy for the Lord.
These Christians risked their lives, worked hard, and
sacrificed more than we will ever know for God's work.
All preachers who ever accomplish anything much for God
have many good hard working sacrificing Christians behind them.
A preacher cannot do it by himself. He needs good
loyal people who have a heart for God's work behind him.
The question that I ask today is, are you that kind of
person?
I hope so. And if not, will you consider becoming
one?
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