Romans 16:16-20

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 116 Chapter 16:16 – 20

1. Verse 16 “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”
1. It was their custom to kiss one another with a Christian kiss; Christian because Paul called it a “Holy Kiss”. Today it is our custom to shake hands which serves the same purpose.
2. The Lord Jesus was betrayed with a kiss. Luke 22:47 - 48 "And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. (48.) But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?"
3. This was very common with Paul, he also mentioned this in 1Cor. 16:20; 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thess. 5:26; and Peter in 1Pet. 5:14 where he called is a “kiss of charity” or a kiss of love.
4. “…The churches of Christ salute you.” – all churches of Christ today do also, we all praise the Lord for all of His church and Christians, I have never met one that I did not love, even those that differ with me scripturally. Disappointment is one thing hatred is another, Christians cannot hate one another.
2. Verse 17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

1. The words “mark them” actually means - take heed of them or to look at them – the idea here is to watch them closely. This is compared to another Greek word which means - to gaze upon them that is, with your eyes wide open. – and this is because they are dangerous. Trouble makers in the church can be very harmful and damaging to the Lords church.

a. People who cause issues in the Lords church are violating the scriptures of being in unity; what the church believes is what the church believes and those who do not like it need to leave or worship in peace.

b. We saw this in this very book where the Christian Jews wanted to abstain from meat and the Gentile membership did not, remember Paul said basically to deal with it in love and do not hurt the church or one another with it. Romans 14:15 - 20 "But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16.) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17.) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18.) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19.) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (20.) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence."

2. The words “avoid them” means - go out of the way of them. – This comes from another Greek word which means – come out from among them – the thought here is separate from them doctrinally because they differ from the rest of the church; don’t allow them to poison your mind against the majority of the church or the scriptures with their doctrine. – if they become a problem then expulsion may be necessary. 2 Thessalonians 3:4 - 7 "And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. (5.) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (6.) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (7.) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;"
3. It is not healthy to conflict with the Lord church or scriptures. Matthew 18:7 “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
2. Verse 18 “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.”

1. These people; no matter how well intentioned they may be; do not serve the Lord or the church. Members or Christians that cause hate and division among the churches or Christians are NOT serving the Lord, the churches, or the scriptures.
2. “…but their own belly…” this is who they serve; themselves and beloved that is not worth a penny.
3. “…and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” The weak are venerable; kind wonderful words and speeches deceive the weak. Remember Eve and Satan in the garden. Genesis 3:1 - 6 "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (2.) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (3.) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4.) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5.) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (6.) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." – Satan was very subtle and a liar.
4. Paul concluded in verse 19 “…I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” That is strong to the truth and harmless or paying no attention to the evil. To avoid them or to shun them means to stay away from them; but keep a sharp eye on them for signs of trouble and deal with it is must be. James 3:13 - 18 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (14.) But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (15.) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16.) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17.) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18.) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
5. Paul’s conclusion; Verse 20 “…And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” God will soon deal with Satan (the cause of this trouble) and those who cause this trouble. 2 Corinthians 11:14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15.) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” - 1 John 3:8 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."