Romans 16:18 kjv
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.
Romans 16:18 nkjv
For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Romans 16:18 niv
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Romans 16:18 esv
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16:18 nlt
Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Romans 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 16:18 | For by good words and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. | Paul's warning against false teachers |
| Acts 20:30 | "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves." | Apostolic warning |
| 2 Corinthians 2:17 | "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God for profit; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." | Authenticity of ministry |
| 1 Timothy 4:1-2 | "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy..." | Future apostasy |
| Titus 1:10-11 | "For there are many rebellious, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, because they are subverting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach." | Countering false teachers |
| 2 Peter 2:3 | "And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." | Judgment of false teachers |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Discernment of spirits |
| Ephesians 4:14 | "That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting;" | Spiritual maturity |
| Matthew 7:15 | "“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." | Identifying false prophets |
| Matthew 24:24 | "“For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." | Signs of the end times |
| Colossians 2:4 | "Now this I say, lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words." | Warning against deception |
| Romans 16:17 | "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." | Identifying divisive persons |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." | Adversary's tactics |
| Proverbs 14:15 | "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." | Prudence in belief |
| Proverbs 27:6 | "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." | True vs. false affection |
| Galatians 1:6-7 | "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." | Warning against a different gospel |
| Philippians 3:2 | "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!" | Warning against false teachers |
| Jude 1:3-4 | "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed..." | Contending for the faith |
| Romans 1:29-31 | "...inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful..." | Consequences of sin |
| Ephesians 5:11 | "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." | Rejecting darkness |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 18 Meaning
This verse serves as a concluding admonition, warning believers against deceptive speech that seeks to exploit or lead them astray from sincere devotion to Christ. It emphasizes discerning genuine teaching from smooth words designed to manipulate. The focus is on understanding and remaining untainted by false doctrines or flattering rhetoric.
Romans 16 18 Context
This verse is the penultimate verse of Romans 16, a chapter primarily consisting of personal greetings and commendations. Paul concludes his extensive letter to the Roman believers with an exhortation. This specific verse follows his instruction in Romans 16:17 to "mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned, and avoid them." Therefore, verse 18 directly elaborates on the characteristics and dangers of such individuals. Historically, the church faced internal and external threats from false teachers who often employed persuasive rhetoric and flattering language to gain followers, diverting them from the pure gospel. The early church was especially vigilant against doctrinal errors and moral compromises that sought to infiltrate their communities.
Romans 16 18 Word analysis
- “For” (γάρ, gar): This is a connective particle, indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding instruction (to mark and avoid such individuals).
- “by” (διά, dia): Used here with the genitive case, it signifies the means or agent through which deception occurs.
- “good words” (χρηστολογία, chrēstologia): This Greek term literally means "good talk" or "pleasant speech." It refers to appealing, smooth, and persuasive language that is intended to be pleasing and attractive, not necessarily truthful. It implies a superficial goodness or kindness in speech.
- “and fair speech” (εὐλογία, eulogia): This word translates to "good speech" or "well-wishing." In this context, it conveys eloquence and perhaps an appearance of piety or blessing. It describes language that sounds appealing, flattering, or blessed, aiming to win favor and trust. It can also mean flattering talk.
- “they deceive” (ἐξαπατάω, exapataō): A strong verb meaning "to deceive thoroughly," "to beguile," or "to mislead." It implies a more profound and systematic deception that leads people into error.
- “the hearts” (καρδία, kardia): The "heart" in biblical understanding is the inner person, the seat of thought, emotion, will, and conscience. Deception directed at the heart means influencing one’s core being and decision-making.
- “of the unsuspecting” (ἀκάκος, akakos): This adjective means "guileless," "innocent," or "simple." It describes those who are not suspicious, not easily detecting falsehood, and are thus vulnerable to deception due to their lack of discernment or experience.
Group of words analysis:
- "good words and fair speech" (χρηστολογία καὶ εὐλογία, chrēstologia kai eulogia): This pairing highlights the seductive nature of false teaching. It is not merely blunt error but an artful combination of seemingly virtuous speech and pleasing rhetoric that masks ulterior motives and false doctrines. It signifies a deliberate effort to craft an appealing message that is antithetical to the truth.
- "deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting" (ἐξαπατῶσι τὰς καρδίας τῶν ἀκάκων, exapataōsi tas kardias tōn akakōn): This phrase emphasizes the target and the method. The intent is to reach the innermost being (the heart) of those who are unwatchful or lack discernment, making them susceptible to the deceivers' fabricated realities. The contrast between the deceptive speech and the innocent hearers underscores the perversity of such actions.
Romans 16 18 Bonus section
This verse echoes a warning found throughout Scripture against deceitful practices and persuasive but misleading speech, particularly in matters of faith and integrity. The concept of "good words and fair speech" relates to the subtle way in which temptation and error are often presented, making them appear harmless or even beneficial. This mirrors the serpent's sophisticated deception of Eve in Genesis 3, where eloquent persuasion was used to promote disobedience. The effectiveness of such tactics lies in appealing to human nature's desire for things to be easy, appealing, or favorable. Paul's charge is to discern the message and the messenger, ensuring that one's faith is rooted in Christ and His word, not in human rhetoric that deviates from it. This also has a contemporary parallel in how various media and influencers can shape perceptions through carefully crafted messages, demanding vigilance from all followers of Christ.
Romans 16 18 Commentary
Paul concludes his letter by warning against those who use polished words and flattery to mislead genuine believers. These deceivers are not necessarily overtly aggressive but employ attractive and seemingly benevolent speech. Their aim is to win favor and trust through eloquent persuasion, thus undermining the truth of the gospel and the unity of the church. The vulnerability lies in the "guileless" or "unsuspecting" – those who may not have the discernment to recognize the hidden danger in smooth talk. This highlights the ongoing need for believers to be wise, grounded in sound doctrine, and to exercise discernment when encountering persuasive speech, especially within the Christian community. It calls for attentiveness to the content of speech, not just its presentation, to avoid being led astray from Christ's true teaching.
Practical Usage:
- Be discerning when encountering new teachings that sound unusually appealing or offer simple solutions to complex spiritual matters.
- Recognize that flattering or overly complimentary words from those in spiritual leadership or influence should not be taken at face value without scrutiny.
- Test everything against Scripture and established sound doctrine, rather than being swayed by mere eloquence or emotional appeals.
- Prioritize substance and truthfulness over mere attractiveness or popularity in spiritual communication.