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 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:8 | ...your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. | Testimony of faith worldwide |
| 1 Cor 14:20 | Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; yet in malice be infants, but in your thinking be mature. | Maturity and discernment |
| Col 1:9 | ...that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. | Wisdom from God |
| Phil 1:10 | ...so that you may approve what is excellent, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, | Purity and discernment |
| Heb 5:14 | But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their training by reason of use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish good from evil. | Discernment in maturity |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | ...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Preparedness and witness |
| Matt 10:16 | Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. | Wisdom and innocence |
| 1 Thess 5:21 | but test everything. Hold fast to what is good, | Discernment and adherence |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. | Focus on the good |
| Acts 18:27 | When he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who by grace had believed. | Impact of discipleship |
| 1 Thess 3:6 | But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and of your love for us, always remembering us kindly and longing to see us, as we long to see you— | Report of faithfulness |
| 2 Cor 10:15 | ...not boasting beyond limits in the labor of others. But in the hope that as your faith increases, we shall be enlarged by you according to our boundary. | Faith and its growth |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, | Identity in Christ |
| Eph 4:15 | ...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, that is, Christ, | Growth in Christ |
| 2 Pet 1:5-8 | Besides this also, adding all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly affection, to brotherly affection love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind and shut-eyed, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. | Development of Christian character |
| Ps 119:98-100 | You, through your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I keep your statutes. | Wisdom through God's Word |
| Jer 3:15 | and I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. | Shepherdly instruction |
| Titus 2:7 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good deeds, with purity in your teaching, with seriousness, | Model of good deeds |
| 1 Tim 6:3-5 | If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not assent to the glorious words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine of godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, seeing nothing. He is morbidly interested in disputes and arguments, which breed envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. | Guarding against false doctrine |
| Matt 13:10-11 | Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. | Understanding spiritual truths |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 19 Meaning
Your obedience is known to all, and therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
Romans 16 19 Context
This verse appears in the closing chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Romans 16 is a chapter filled with personal greetings and commendations. Paul is concluding his letter, which has been a profound theological discourse on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is acknowledging the strong faith and obedience of the Roman believers. He also offers a pastoral encouragement for them to be discerning and innocent. Historically, this verse would have been read publicly to the church in Rome, a significant center of early Christianity. The early church faced various influences, both positive and negative, making Paul's counsel on wisdom and innocence particularly relevant.
Romans 16 19 Word Analysis
- Your (ὑμῶν - hymōn): A possessive pronoun, referring to the believers in Rome.
- obedience (ὑπακοὴ - hypakoē): Refers to the act of hearing or listening to, and subsequently submitting to. It's a core concept in the New Testament, signifying submission to God and His Word.
- is known (γνωστή - gnōstē): A passive participle, indicating that their obedience is made known, evident, or recognized.
- to all (πᾶσιν - pasin): A dative plural of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all" or "every." Their obedience is a public testimony.
- Therefore (διὸ - dio): A connective particle indicating a consequence or result. Because their obedience is known, Paul rejoices.
- I rejoice (χαίρω - chairō): First-person singular present active indicative of χαίρω (chairō), meaning "I rejoice" or "I am glad."
- over you (ἐφ' ὑμῖν - eph' hymin): Prepositional phrase indicating the cause or object of his rejoicing.
- But (θέλω δὲ - thelō de): Indicates a transition to a new point, a desire Paul wishes to express.
- I wish (θέλω - thelō): First-person singular present active indicative of θέλω (thelō), meaning "I want," "I wish," or "I desire."
- you to be (ὑμᾶς εἶναι - hymas einai): An infinitive construction expressing the object of Paul's wish.
- wise (σοφοὺς - sophous): Accusative plural of σοφός (sophos), meaning "wise," "skillful," or "prudent."
- concerning (εἰς - eis): A preposition often indicating motion toward, purpose, or "concerning" in this context.
- good (τὸ ἀγαθὸν - to agathon): The neuter adjective ἀγαθός (agathos) used substantively, meaning "that which is good," "goodness," or "the good."
- and innocent (ἀκεραίους δὲ - akeraious de): Accusative plural of ἀκαταρατός (akataratos, often mistakenly transliterated or related to akæraios, meaning pure, simple, unadulterated, without mixture, not knowing or mixed with evil). Paul wishes them to be unmixed with or ignorant of evil.
- concerning (εἰς - eis): Again, indicating "concerning."
- evil (τὸ κακόν - to kakon): The neuter adjective κακός (kakos) used substantively, meaning "that which is evil," "evil," or "badness."
Group Analysis:The first part, "Your obedience is known to all, and therefore I rejoice over you," highlights the positive impact and public witness of the believers' faithfulness. Their walk with God was not a private matter but was observable by others, a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. This public aspect of obedience is echoed in other parts of Scripture where believers are called to be a light and a witness. The second part, "But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil," shifts to a pastoral instruction. It emphasizes a balanced spiritual maturity: intellectual discernment for good things (wisdom) and moral purity in the face of evil (innocence). This isn't about being ignorant of evil but being untouched or uncorrupted by it.
Romans 16 19 Bonus Section
The admonition to "be wise about what is good" is often linked to the concept of discerning the will of God (Romans 12:2). The call to "be innocent about what is evil" resonates with Jesus' instruction to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), a paradox suggesting shrewdness in avoiding harm while maintaining purity of heart. This balance is crucial for effective Christian living in a world filled with challenges. It is achieved through ongoing spiritual growth, deep study of Scripture, and prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and empowerment.
Romans 16 19 Commentary
Paul's words to the Roman church reflect a pastor's joy in seeing faith lived out and a deep concern for their spiritual well-being. He celebrates their obedience, which serves as a testimony to others. Simultaneously, he exhorts them toward a discerning and pure walk. True wisdom involves understanding what is truly good, aligning with God's will and nature. Innocence concerning evil does not mean naiveté but rather a resolute commitment to not participate in or be corrupted by sin. It's about cultivating a spiritual discernment that allows believers to navigate the world effectively without succumbing to its corrupting influences. This calls for an active, growing knowledge of God's truth and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to differentiate between good and evil and to maintain a blameless character. The goal is to be Christ-like in all aspects of life, reflecting His goodness and truth.