A Warning Against Divisive Teachers

As we move into the final verses of Romans, we encounter Paul’s stern warning to the Roman church. It’s a sharp contrast to the loving greetings and affirmations found in the previous verses. Now, Paul addresses an urgent and crucial matter for the health and unity of the church: the presence of false teachers and divisive individuals. In this passage, Paul not only provides a caution against division but also underscores the spiritual battle we face as the body of Christ. We will explore the importance of remaining faithful to the truth, recognizing false teachings, and standing firm in spiritual warfare.

Romans 16:17–23 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 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. 19 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. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

A Warning Against Divisive Teachers (Romans 16:17-18)

• Exhortation to Mark and Avoid

Paul urges the believers to “mark them” who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine they have learned. This is a serious admonition, as division within the body of Christ undermines the very nature of the church.

John MacArthur said that false teachers often present themselves as agents of peace or truth, but in reality, they are agents of division. Their teachings may sound appealing on the surface, and their charisma may draw followers, but they are ultimately advancing their own agendas—whether those are to increase their influence, wealth, or reputation.

A Warning Against Divisive Teachers (Romans 16:17-18)

Paul’s warning in Romans 16:17 is clear: “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned.”

The Enemy’s Scheme: Dividing the Body of Christ

This is the enemy’s tactic: to divide and he uses false teachers. From the beginning, the devil has sought to divide and conquer, starting with the fall of Adam and Eve. In the same way that Satan introduced deception in the Garden of Eden to create division between God and humanity, he uses false teachers to divide the body of Christ. These teachers may distort the gospel or introduce secondary issues as central ones.

The enemy does not need to destroy the church outright—he can accomplish his mission through sowing discord and division that breaks down trust and unity among believers.

Titus 3:10–11 ESV

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 ESV

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Mature believers must be vigilant in guarding the truth and protecting the church from divisive influences. This requires discernment, not just about doctrine but also about the character and motives of those who teach.

1. You must have the proper hermeneutics

Mature believers must be vigilant in guarding the truth and protecting the church from divisive influences. This requires discernment and biblical knowledge. The correct approach to interpretation involves a literal, historical, grammatical, lexical, syntactic analysis. This means that Scripture should be read as it was intended, like a newspaper, considering literary devices like metaphors and similes but taking the text at face value unless context dictates otherwise.

2. You must understand cultural language

Biblical texts must be interpreted within their ancient cultural and linguistic context. Misinterpretations arise when modern readers apply their own cultural assumptions to ancient texts.

3. You cannot read yourself into the text

This is called narcissistic hermeneutics. Many preachers today, like Steven Furtick and Beth Moore, wrongly insert themselves into biblical narratives. The Bible is not about us, though we can apply its truths. We are not the “Moses” or “David” in the story.

4. You cannot read the text with a preconceived idea

Many people approach Scripture with preconditioned beliefs and force the text to fit their theology instead of allowing Scripture to shape their theology. For example, Calvinists often read their views into the text rather than deriving their beliefs from it.

5. You cannot project your own hurts onto the text

People often interpret passages through the lens of their personal pain and experiences rather than the text’s actual meaning.Liberation theology approaches the text this way

6. You cannot read your own reality into the text

Some impose modern ideas or movements onto the Bible that have no basis in the historical or grammatical context of Scripture, such as blending Christianity with New Age teachings or inserting modern political movements into the text.

Hebrews 5:14 ESV

14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Paul commends the Romans for their obedience to the gospel, yet he continues to urge them to be wise to what is good and innocent regarding evil. It’s not enough to simply avoid error; believers must actively pursue righteousness and truth. Just as the Roman believers have become known for their obedience, we too must keep our minds anchored in the word of God. This wisdom enables us to discern error and avoid false teachings. Believers are equipped through the Word of God and prayer. Spiritual maturity helps in recognizing when something or someone is contrary to God’s truth.

The Victory of God Over Evil (Romans 16:20)

In a victorious declaration, Paul reminds the believers that despite the ongoing battle with false teachers and evil forces, the ultimate victory belongs to God. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet.

Romans 16:20 ESV

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Victory of God Over Evil (Romans 16:20)

We have to discern the deceptive nature of the enemy’s tactics. The devil often works by using false teachers who seem like messengers of light but who actually serve his purposes. This makes them even more dangerous, as they are deceptive and often appeal to our emotions or desires, drawing people into false belief systems. We are called to discern the spirit behind the message. Not all who speak the name of Christ are faithful to His Word. False teachers may speak in ways that sound Christian, using Scripture selectively or distorting it to fit their agenda. This is where spiritual discernment, grounded in sound doctrine and a close relationship with the Holy Spirit, becomes essential. Ephesians 6:10-18, which discusses the armor of God, underscores the need for believers to be spiritually equipped to recognize the enemy’s lies.

The Victory of God Over Evil (Romans 16:20)

So Paul here emphasizes that believers must stand firm in the truth and reject anything that threatens the unity of the body of Christ. Romans 16:17 says to “avoid them.” We are not called to engage in lengthy debates with false teachers or try to reform them through dialogue. Instead, we are called to mark them and avoid them to preserve the purity of the faith and the unity of the church. Engaging with false teaching can open the door for the enemy to confuse and lead believers astray.

Doctrine matters and the church must be equipped with sound doctrine to recognize and reject false teachings. We must also be vigilant in teaching and reinforcing the core doctrines of the faith that unify believers, rather than allowing divisive or secondary issues to take precedence.

The Ultimate Goal: Preserving Unity in the Church

Ultimately, Paul’s warning in Romans 16:17-18 is about protecting the unity of the church. False teachers seek to divide, while Christ and His gospel bring believers together. As Paul stresses in Ephesians 4:3, we are to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. The enemy’s ultimate goal is not just to introduce false doctrine, but to break down the community of believers, tearing apart relationships and distorting the message of the gospel.

The church is always under threat from within and without, but we are more than conquerors through Christ who has already defeated the powers of darkness (Romans 8:37). As believers, we are called to stand firm, be vigilant, and resist the enemy’s attempts to infiltrate and divide the church. As we close this study in Romans, we are reminded that while we are in a spiritual battle, the grace and strength of God enable us to stand firm and hold fast to the truth. May we continue to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word, protecting the unity of the church, and walking in victory through Christ.

A Benediction of Grace (Romans 16:25-27)

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

A Benediction of Grace (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul ends this letter with a benediction, emphasizing the grace of God in strengthening the believers to stand firm in the truth. The gospel that Paul preaches is the foundation of their strength and the power that sustains them in the face of opposition. If you want unity and victory we have to draw our strength from Christ alone.

The grace of God is not just for salvation, but for empowering believers to live faithfully in the midst of a hostile world. The strength we need for spiritual warfare, for discerning false teachings, and for maintaining unity in the church comes only through God’s grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

As we close this study in Romans, we are reminded that while we are in a spiritual battle, the grace and strength of God enable us to stand firm and hold fast to the truth. May we continue to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word, protecting the unity of the church, and walking in victory through Christ.