Romans 16:17-20 Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned… "But yet." Obedience is good, but needs to be guarded. Teachableness needs discretion for its companion. Pliable tempers require a double guard. The greater the grace received the more need of caution. The richest vessels carry the strongest convoys. Living Churches and Christians Satan's most coveted prey. Holy joy in others leads to holy jealousy over them (2 Corinthians 11:2). I. WISE UNTO GOOD. Wisdom is to know what is good, to embrace it, to hold it fast, to practise it, and to promote it. It includes understanding, discrimination, prudence, and discretion, and is necessary to avoid being ensnared by the crafty. The Roman Christians had already perhaps been none too cautious. The good includes doctrine, practice, and experience. The highest wisdom is to know the will of God and to do it, and the most profitable that which makes us wise unto salvation. II. SIMPLE CONCERNING EVIL. 1. Simplicity is — (1) Harmlessness; like an animal without horns. Believers, in respect of evil, are to be as children (1 Corinthians 14:20), wise as serpents but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). (2) As contrasted with "wise" — without cunning, dexterity, or skill. Unknowing and unpractised in the ways of evil; ignorant of the depths of Satan (Revelation 2:24). 2. Evil is — (1) Moral, i.e., sin. (2) Harm done to others. (T. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. |
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