Romans 16:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:17-20

A last warning. There might, however, be some advent amongst them of a malign influence that should mar this brotherly love, and he must say one warning word. How had the trail of the serpent been on his path! At Galatia, in Corinth, and elsewhere, false teachers had come in, seeking to undo his work; those Judaizers, who sought to corrupt the young believers from the simplicity of the gospel. And would they not seek to undo the work at Rome? Yes, verily; for the obedience of the Roman... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:18-20

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (cf. Philippians 3:18 , Philippians 3:19 ). Had St. Paul thought these people sincere though mistaken, he would doubtless have treated them with the tenderness he shows towards the weak brethren. But he regards them as self-interested, and of the flesh; and against such disturbers of the Church's peace he is, here as elsewhere, indignant (el. Galatians 1:7 , Galatians 1:8 ; Galatians 2:4 ; Galatians 3:1 ;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 16:18

Serve not - Obey not. Though they are professedly, yet they are not his real friends and followers.But their own belly - Their own “lusts;” their own private interests; they do this to obtain support. The authors of parties and divisions, in church and state, have this usually in view. It is for the indulgence of some earthly appetite; to obtain function or property; or to gratify the love of dominion.And by good words - Mild, fair, plausible speeches; with an appearance of great sincerity, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 16:17-18

Romans 16:17-18. Now I beseech Παρακαλω , I exhort you, brethren, mark them Observe and point them out for the caution of others. The word σκοπειν , rendered to mark, signifies, to observe attentively and diligently, as those do who are placed on a watch-tower to observe the motions of their enemies. Who cause divisions Or, separations, as διχοστασιας signifies, namely, by their false doctrine; and offences Τα σκανδαλα , stumbling-blocks, or occasions of falling, by their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 16:1-27

Personal greetings (16:1-27)The person who took this letter to Rome was Phoebe, a woman well respected for her work in the church in Cenchreae, one of the seaports of Corinth. She had been a tireless helper of Paul and many others, and Paul asks the Roman Christians to welcome her (16:1-2).Paul then sends greetings to a number of people whom he had met during his missionary travels and who now lived in Rome. First among these were Paul’s loyal friends, Aquila and Priscilla. They were now back... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 16:18

serve. App-190 . Jesus . The texts omit. belly . See John 7:38 . good . . . speeches = their fine words and flatteries. good words . Greek. chrestologia. Only here. fair speeches . Greek. eulogia. Occurs sixteen times (eleven translated "blessing"). See Romans 15:29 . deceive = deceive thoroughly. Greek. exapatao. Occurs: Romans 7:11 . 1Co 3:18 . 2 Corinthians 11:3 . 2 Thessalonians 2:3 . The usual word for "deceive" means "to lead astray" ( App-128 ). simple = guileless. Greek. ... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.The contrast here is between what the false teachers are and do on the one hand and what they pretend to be and claim on the other hand. Pretending to serve Christ, they serve themselves alone, "belly" as used here being a reference to all of the carnal and fleshly desires. They were able speakers, with a ready flow of eloquent words; and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 16:18

Romans 16:18. And fair speeches— 'Ευλογιας, flattering forms of address. We hence learn what were the weapons which these false apostles opposed to the miracles of the true. See Titus 1:10-11. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 16:18

18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ—"our Lord Christ" appears to be the true reading. but their own belly—not in the grosset sense, but as "living for low ends of their own" (compare Philippians 3:19). and by good words and fair speeches deceive the simple—the unwary, the unsuspecting. (See Proverbs 14:15). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 16:14-27

VII. CONCLUSION 15:14-16:27The conclusion of the epistle corresponds to its introduction (Romans 1:1-17; cf. Romans 15:14 and Romans 1:8; Romans 15:15-21 and Romans 1:3; Romans 1:13; Romans 15:22 and Romans 1:13 a; Romans 15:27 and Romans 1:14; Romans 15:29 and Romans 1:11-12; and Romans 15:30-32 and Romans 1:9-10). Both sections deal with matters of personal interest to Paul and frame his exposition of the righteousness of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; 1 Corinthians 16:5-24). However in both... read more

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