Romans 16:17-27
I. Last Warnings (vv. 17-20)
A. Avoid dividers
They are self serving
They are shrewd deceivers
B. Avow obedience
Validate their reputation
Protect their innocence
Encourage their hope
II. Closing Greetings (vv. 21-24)
A. Paul’s companions
B. Paul’s co-laborers
III. Final Benediction (vv. 25-27)
A. Praise to God for the gospel of Christ
B. Praise to God for the good Word revealed
C. Glory to God for His wisdom in Christ.
More To Consider
Paul’s warning sounds foreign in a chapter filled with greetings, but Paul knew the dangers in the churches and wanted to warn the saints. Certainly, we as individual Christians are to love and forgive one another; but sins against the church body must be dealt with according to scriptural discipline. Christians who cause trouble because of their selfish desires (usually pride—they want to tell everybody else what to do) are not to be received into the local fellowship. “Mark them—avoid them!” The word “mark” means “watch them; keep your eyes on them.” It is right for the church to keep an eye on “church tramps” who run from one church to another, causing trouble and division. These people are smooth talkers and know how to fool the simple, but the discerning saint will see through their disguises. Conquer Satan—don’t let him conquer you!
Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 412.
An issue of National Geographic included a photograph of the fossil remains of two saber-tooth cats locked in combat. To quote the article: "One had bitten deep into the leg bone of the other, a thrust that trapped both in a common fate. The cause of the death of the two cats is as clear as the causes of the extinction of their species are obvious. When Christians fight each other, everybody loses. As Paul put it, "if you keep biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other" (Galations 5:15) Peter A. Alwinson.
“To remain divided is sinful! Did not our Lord pray, that they may be one, even as we are one"? (John 17:22). A chorus of ecumenical voices keep harping the unity tune. What they are saying is, "Christians of all doctrinal shades and beliefs must come together in one visible organization, regardless... Unite, unite!" Such teaching is false, reckless and dangerous. Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity. Unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord's prayer in John 17 must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Only those sanctified through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise is to betray the Gospel.
Charles H. Spurgeon, The Essence of Separation, quoted in The Berean Call, July, 1992, p. 4.
