Romans 16:17-27
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 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. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus[g] be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.
23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.[h]
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets[i] foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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Paul spends the first 16 verses of this chapter greeting specific people. Then he makes several final points in this important letter:
1. Stay away from divisive people. They serve only themselves. An example of a divisive person today would be those who are teaching there is no hell.
2. Be wise and do right–a big order!
3. Remember the mystery–that all along God intended salvation for all, which included the Gentiles.
It seems that point one is most relevant to me. How do I keep the Gospel simple and avoid divisions?
1. I have to know the essential truths of the gospel.
2. I have to know it well enough that I am not attracted to the “new teachings.”
3. I stay focused on doing the next right thing.