Romans 16 19

Romans 16:19 kjv

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Romans 16:19 nkjv

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

Romans 16:19 niv

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Romans 16:19 esv

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Romans 16:19 nlt

But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 19 Meaning

Romans 16:19 encapsulates Paul's commendation of the Roman believers' well-known obedience, coupled with a crucial directive. He expresses his joy over their widely recognized submission to the Gospel, yet immediately instructs them to exercise discerning wisdom in matters of righteousness and goodness, while maintaining an unmixed and untainted purity or innocence regarding all forms of evil. It is a call for spiritual astuteness and moral integrity, a balance of understanding for good and an aversion to corruption.

Romans 16 19 Context

Romans 16:19 is situated at the close of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, a chapter predominantly composed of personal greetings and commendations to various members of the Roman church. This particular verse immediately follows a stern warning in Romans 16:17-18 about deceivers who cause division and strife, subverting the truth for personal gain with "smooth talk and flattery." The broader historical context is an early Christian community in Rome, a multicultural imperial city where paganism, philosophical schools, and diverse ethical standards coexisted, presenting a complex environment for believers. The Roman church was noted for its strong faith and widespread reputation (Rom 1:8). Paul's commendation in verse 19, therefore, recognizes their existing positive standing, while the subsequent call for "wisdom concerning good" and "simplicity concerning evil" directly serves as a vital safeguard against the manipulative tactics of those "who serve not our Lord Christ but their own appetites" (Rom 16:18). It encourages vigilance and spiritual discernment, lest their good reputation be undermined by naive vulnerability to error.

Romans 16 19 Word analysis

• For your obedience is come abroad (ἡ γὰρ ὑμῶν ὑπακοὴ εἰς πάντας ἀνθρώπους ἀφίκετο - hē gar hymōn hypakoē eis pantas anthrōpous aphiketo):
  • obedience (hypakoē): A key Pauline term (e.g., Rom 1:5; 2 Cor 10:5-6). It means 'a hearing that results in compliance,' active submission to the will or word of God, or an authoritative instruction. It implies not just intellectual assent but practical adherence to Gospel truth.
  • is come abroad (aphiketo from aphikneomai): Means "has arrived," "has reached." This highlights that their reputation for obedience has spread far and wide, affirming the veracity of their faith beyond Rome.
  • unto all men (eis pantas anthrōpous): Emphasizes the public and extensive nature of their spiritual conduct's renown, giving Paul legitimate cause for joy.
• I am glad therefore on your behalf: (chairō oun eph' hymin):
  • glad (chairō): Expresses deep joy and rejoicing. Paul genuinely celebrates their positive reputation and steadfastness, which aligns with his mission of propagating the Gospel.
  • therefore (oun): Connects this joy directly to the preceding statement about their known obedience.
• but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil: (thelō de hymas sophous men einai eis to agathon, akeraious de eis to kakon): This is a critical exhortation containing a balanced dual command.
  • wise (sophous): Signifies practical wisdom, sagacity, discernment, not merely intellectual knowledge. It implies understanding how to identify, pursue, and embody what is morally upright and beneficial according to God's standards. It's wisdom for living righteously.
  • unto that which is good (eis to agathon): "Good" (agathon) encompasses moral goodness, righteousness, benefit, and excellence from God's perspective. They are to apply their wisdom to cultivate, understand, and advance good. This involves understanding the Gospel fully and living by its implications.
  • simple (akeraious): From a (negative particle) and kerannymi (to mix). Thus, "unmixed," "unadulterated," "pure," "innocent," "guileless." This is not an invitation to naivety or ignorance of evil's existence, but a command to be unpolluted by evil, to remain free from its defiling influence and corrupting practices. It is a moral purity, a refusal to partake in or condone evil.
  • concerning evil (eis to kakon): "Evil" (kakon) refers to moral wickedness, harmful acts, depravity, and things that cause distress or spiritual damage. Believers are to be free from its admixture, untouched by its corrupting power, holding themselves apart from engaging with it or being tainted by it.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men": This phrase functions as the commendation and the basis for Paul's subsequent joy and instruction. It shows that Christian conduct is visible and impactful, drawing attention from within and without the church.
  • "I am glad therefore on your behalf": This highlights Paul's pastoral heart and confirms that their good standing is a source of legitimate spiritual joy, affirming their walk in Christ.
  • "but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil": This is the core exhortation, contrasting active, discerning engagement with "good" and a protective, pure separation from "evil." It underscores that while known for obedience, continued spiritual vigilance and clear ethical boundaries are essential for ongoing faithfulness, especially against the backdrop of potential deceptions (vv. 17-18). It warns against becoming complicit in evil through either ignorance or deliberate compromise.

Romans 16 19 Bonus section

This verse reflects a key aspect of Paul's apostolic leadership: he not only celebrated the church's successes but also proactively guarded against its vulnerabilities. The juxtaposed commendation and warning demonstrate his concern for the ongoing spiritual health and protection of believers. The term akeraios for "simple" or "innocent" also appears in Matthew 10:16 ("innocent as doves") and Philippians 2:15 ("blameless and innocent children of God"), emphasizing its deep theological significance for a Christian's disposition in a fallen world. It points to an inner purity and lack of malice that complements an outward pursuit of truth and good. Paul's use of this specific terminology, immediately following a sharp warning about false teachers, implies that genuine innocence regarding evil is a powerful defense against spiritual corruption and the manipulation of the unwary.

Romans 16 19 Commentary

Romans 16:19 is a pithy yet profound summary of mature Christian living, striking a balance between positive engagement and cautious detachment. Paul's commendation of their widespread obedience (hypakoē) isn't mere flattery but an affirmation of their evident spiritual health, setting the stage for a critical pastoral injunction. He desires them not only to be good but to be discerningly wise about what good truly is and how to actively pursue it, preventing them from falling into error by well-intentioned but misguided actions. Concurrently, they are to be simple (akeraios) or pure regarding evil, meaning unmixed with its defiling influence. This isn't advocating ignorance of evil's existence or schemes, which would make one vulnerable, but rather moral purity, a complete absence of participation, endorsement, or assimilation of wicked practices. Like unalloyed metal, they are to remain pure, uncontaminated by the moral dross of the world or the deceptions of false teachers. This counsel is highly practical, equipping believers to navigate a morally complex world and specifically to counter the "smooth talk and flattery" of deceivers mentioned just prior (Rom 16:18), who often use good intentions as a mask for evil. This wisdom enables Christians to uphold the truth while maintaining a pristine character in an often-corrupt environment.

Practical examples:

1. Wise unto good: A believer learns biblical financial principles to manage resources responsibly and generatively for God's kingdom (wise unto good), instead of simply giving without discernment or living recklessly.
2. Simple concerning evil: A Christian working in an ethically challenging industry refuses to participate in fraudulent practices, even if others do, choosing to maintain integrity (simple concerning evil).