Romans 16:17-20·~1 min

Avoid Divisions

Paul urges the church to watch for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching they have received, because such people serve their own appetites and deceive the naive with smooth talk.

N¹⁷ow I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. ¹⁸For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Paul rejoices over the Romans’ well-known obedience but asks for a calibrated wisdom — wise to good, innocent to evil — and promises that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet.

¹⁹Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. ²⁰The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Section summaryPaul pauses the closing warmth to warn against those who create divisions and obstacles against the teaching the Romans have received. He trusts their obedience but wants them wise to good and innocent to evil, with the promise that God will soon crush Satan under their feet.

Role in the chapterThis short section sharpens the closing by naming a real threat: teaching-dividers who flatter and deceive. Paul answers with vigilance, wisdom, and the sure hope of God’s victory.