Romans 16:17-20 – Be discerning and watchful

In the midst of some personal greetings, Paul took some space out to write and instruct them what to do with the heretics and heresies. Being the person that he was, Paul felt the need to come austerely to warn them of false teachers. He must have sensed the lurking dangers and he was not the type that would just ignore them. So he wrote in verse 17, “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.”

Here three characteristics of false teachers are exposed:

·               They divide and contradict the teaching of Biblical unity (v.17).

·               They are persuasive and will prey on the naive and immature (v.18).

·               They are slaves of their own appetites and desires (v.18).  

In these verses Paul also gave three concrete advices. Firstly, to be watchful and be on a look-out for those who caused division. Christians must learn to stay awake to detect this unbiblical precedent. False teachings always come in subtle ways. Here we need to be discerning to rightly divide the truth. Secondly, to keep away from false teachers. Have nothing to do with heretics and their heresies.  Finally to act wisely. Be wise in good things but in evil things seek to be blameless.

The obedience of the believers in Rome was well-known to all and Paul rejoiced over this news. Our assurance of victory is the fact that Satan our enemy is a defeated foe. We stand on victory ground. We are on the side of the God of peace. He is working through us so that we can trample that old devil under our feet. Furthermore, His grace is upon us and this grace will enable us to be victorious over our circumstances.