Romans 16:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 16:17-20

The apostle having endeavoured by his endearing salutations to unite them together, it was not improper to subjoin a caution to take heed of those whose principles and practices were destructive to Christian love. And we may observe, I. The caution itself, which is given in the most obliging manner that could be: I beseech you, brethren. He does not will and command, as one that lorded it over God's heritage, but for love's sake beseeches. How earnest, how endearing, are Paul's exhortations!... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 16:17-20

16:17-20 Brothers, I urge you to keep your eye on those who, contrary to the teaching which they have received, cause dissensions and put in your way things which would trip you up. Steer clear of them. Such men are not real servants of Christ, our Lord; they are the servants of their own greed. By their plausibility and their flattery they deceive the hearts of innocent folk. I know that you will deal with such people, for the story of your obedience has reached all men. So, then, I rejoice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren ,.... The apostle being about to finish his epistle, and recollecting that he had not given this church any instructions about the false teachers, who had been the cause of all their differences and uneasiness, inserts them here; or he purposely put them in this place, amidst his salutations, that they might be taken the more notice of; and very pertinently, since nothing could more express his great affection and tender concern for them; and these instructions he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:17

Mark them which cause divisions - Several MSS. read ασφαλως σκοπειτε , look sharply after them; let them have no kiss of charity nor peace, because they strive to make divisions, and thus set the flock of Christ at variance among themselves; and from these divisions, offenses ( σκανδαλα , scandals) are produced; and this is contrary to that doctrine of peace, unity, and brotherly love which you have learned. Look sharply after such that they do you no evil, and avoid them - give them no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:17

Verse 17 17.And I beseech you, etc. He now adds an exhortation, by which all Churches have often need of being stirred up; for the ministers of Satan are ever ready to take occasion to disturb the kingdom of Christ: and they attempt to make disturbances in two ways; for they either sow discord, by which the minds of men are drawn away from the unity of truth, or they occasion offenses, by which men are alienated from the love of the gospel. (480) The former evil is done when the truth of God is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:1-19

Words of counsel for a Christian Church. The practical exhortations given in most of these closing chapters of this Epistle have reference mainly to the duties of individual Christians. The exhortations of this last chapter refer specially to the duty of the local Church in its corporate capacity. I. ATTENTION TO STRANGERS . Consideration for strangers was constantly impressed upon the Jewish people in ancient times. "Oppress not the stranger" ( Exodus 22:21 ; Exodus 23:1-33 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:1-20

K. Commendation of Phoebe, and salutations to Christians at Rome. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:1-23

Christian salutations. There remain now only salutations and conclusions. But the same courteous love shall be manifested to the end. Nowhere do the ethics of the new life come out more delicately than in these trivialities, as some would deem them, of epistolary correspondence. They are as the fragrance of the rose. I. First, the letter-bearer is commended to their care. "Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the Church." The mere sisterhood in Christ should be enough, but she was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:1-27

Salutations and benedictions. The programme being sketched, the apostle now proceeds to the salutations and benedictions with which his Epistles usually end. And here notice— I. THE DISTINGUISHED PLACE OCCUPIED IN THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH BY WOMEN . There are no less than nine women specially referred to in this list, and all are active in the Church. Some were deaconesses; for instance, Phoebe, Mary, Tryphena and Tryphosa, and Persis. Oriental society separates the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause the divisions and offences ( τὰ σκάνδαλα , meaning "causes of stumbling." Both the words have the article, so as to denote things known of) contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and avoid them ; rather, turn away from them; i.e. shun them; have nothing to do with them. The allusion seems to be, not to persons within the Church, but rather to outsiders, who come with new notions to disturb its peace. read more

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