Romans 16 18

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 verses

Romans 16 18 Meaning

This verse describes individuals who disrupt Christian communities, identifying their true allegiance and methods. Their service is not to the Lord Christ but driven by their own carnal desires, often expressed as material gain or sensual pleasure. They employ deceptive tactics—persuasive but misleading speech, combined with flattery—to manipulate and lead astray those who are sincere but lack discernment and spiritual maturity.

Romans 16 18 Context

Romans chapter 16 serves as Paul's concluding remarks to the Roman church, shifting from theological exposition to practical exhortations, greetings, and final warnings. Verse 18 follows directly after his instruction in verse 17 to "watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned, and keep away from them." This strong warning underscores the serious threat these individuals posed to the unity and doctrinal purity of the early Christian community in Rome. Paul likely writes from Corinth, a city known for its diverse philosophical schools and rhetoric, where similar issues of factionalism and exploitation by cunning speakers might have been prevalent. His concern is that the established gospel message, which he has painstakingly detailed throughout the epistle, should not be undermined by self-serving agents who prioritize personal gain or influence over the well-being and sound faith of the believers.

Romans 16 18 Word analysis

• For such people (τοιούτους - toioutous): Refers directly to the "those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way" mentioned in Rom 16:17. It indicates a specific class or character of individuals.
• are not serving (οὐ δουλεύουσιν - ou douleuōsin): Lit. "not enslaved to" or "not performing slave-like service for." This strong negation highlights a fundamental allegiance. True disciples are douloi (slaves/servants) of Christ.
• our Lord Christ (τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Χριστῷ - tō Kyriō hēmōn Christō): Emphasizes proper and absolute spiritual allegiance. To not serve Christ means their loyalty lies elsewhere. Some ancient manuscripts omit "Christ," simply saying "the Lord," but the meaning remains consistent: deviation from serving Jesus as Lord.
• but their own appetites (τῇ ἑαυτῶν κοιλίᾳ - tē heautōn koilia): Lit. "their own belly." This is a potent metaphor for selfish, carnal desires, including gluttony, sensuality, materialism, and a general pursuit of worldly pleasures or personal advantage, as opposed to spiritual values. It points to a base, unredeemed focus.
• By smooth talk (διὰ τῆς χρηστολογίας - dia tēs chrēstologias): A compound word literally meaning "good speech" or "useful words." In this context, it takes on a negative connotation: artfully constructed, persuasive, agreeable words that sound virtuous or helpful but are used deceptively. It's an appearance of goodness to conceal malice.
• and flattery (καὶ εὐλογίας - kai eulogias): Literally "good word" or "blessing." Here, paired with chrēstologia, it denotes specious praise, false commendation, or language designed to please and ingratiate oneself, ultimately to manipulate others. It lacks sincerity and serves self-interest.
• they deceive (ἐξαπατῶσιν - exapatōsin): A strong verb meaning "to thoroughly deceive," "to lead astray completely," "to delude." It suggests a systematic and effective misleading of someone, a complete mental or spiritual entrapment.
• the minds (τὰς καρδίας - tas kardias): Lit. "the hearts." In biblical anthropology, the heart is not just emotions but the core of a person's being—the center of intellect, will, and conscience. To deceive the "hearts" means to mislead their deepest understanding and commitment.
• of naive people (τῶν ἀκάκων - tōn akakōn): Lit. "the guileless," "the innocent," "the unsophisticated," "those without malice." This does not necessarily imply moral corruption but a lack of critical discernment, spiritual immaturity, or an unsuspecting nature that makes them easy targets for manipulation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites": This contrast reveals the antithetical nature of their ministry. True service is self-sacrificial and God-directed; their "service" is self-aggrandizing and driven by the lower desires of the flesh. It exposes their corrupted priorities, highlighting an essential truth about spiritual warfare: external piety often hides internal corruption and selfish ambition. The "belly" signifies their true master.
• "By smooth talk and flattery": This phrase describes the insidious methods used. "Smooth talk" suggests a polished, persuasive eloquence that may appear harmless or even appealing, while "flattery" specifically targets the listener's ego or desires, softening them up for deception. Together, they create a facade of benevolence and trustworthiness, enabling them to bypass critical thinking and subtly undermine spiritual discernment. These are rhetorical tools of manipulation.
• "they deceive the minds of naive people": This identifies both the effect and the target. "Deceive" indicates a profound misleading of their inner person. The "minds" (hearts) are where convictions and understanding reside, thus implying a corruption of their spiritual truth. The "naive people" are vulnerable due to their trusting nature or lack of experience, lacking the spiritual wisdom or discernment to identify such subtle trickery.

Romans 16 18 Bonus section

The danger described in Rom 16:18 isn't necessarily overt heresy, but often a more subtle corruption of motive and method. These individuals might use Christian terminology or appear devout, but their true object of devotion is themselves. The term koilia ("belly") can extend beyond literal food consumption to include the pursuit of any carnal or worldly gratification that supplants spiritual values, effectively making self-indulgence their idol. The persuasive rhetoric, chrēstologia and eulogia, speaks to the power of language when detached from truth and righteousness; it shows how spiritual immaturity can lead to mental or spiritual capture if not coupled with biblical knowledge and discernment. The verse implies a responsibility for the "naive" to grow in wisdom and to be on guard, recognizing that simple innocence is not sufficient protection against sophisticated deception.

Romans 16 18 Commentary

Romans 16:18 delivers a sharp warning about those who cause division and confusion within the church. Paul pulls back the curtain to expose their true motivations: they serve their own base appetites rather than Christ. This is not mere theological disagreement but a matter of core allegiance. Their "belly" symbolizes all selfish desires, whether for wealth, power, pleasure, or social status. Their methods are equally insidious—"smooth talk" (pleasant-sounding, but empty words) and "flattery" (praise intended to manipulate) are subtle weapons that disarm and mislead. They target the "naive," those who lack the discernment or spiritual maturity to perceive the deceit beneath the pleasing exterior. This verse serves as an enduring call for vigilance and discernment in Christian communities, reminding believers to scrutinize both the message and the messenger, always testing against the plumb line of God's Word and a life lived in service to Christ, not self. It teaches that not all agreeable words come from a pure heart.