Romans 16 · Verse 17

Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Romans 16:17, King James Version

Romans 16:17 in other translations

BSB	Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
WEB	Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
ASV	Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
YLT	And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;
DARBY	But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learnt, and turn away from them.
BBE	Now, it is my desire, brothers, that you will take note of those who are causing division and trouble among you, quite against the teaching which was given to you: and keep away from them.
Webster	Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

What does Romans 16:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned--"which ye learned." and avoid them--The fomentors of "divisions" here referred to are probably those who were unfriendly to the truths taught in this epistle, while those who caused "offenses" were probably those referred to in Ro 14:15 as haughtily disregarding the prejudices of the weak. The direction as to both is, first, to "mark" such, lest the evil should be done ere it was fully discovered; and next, to "avoid" them (compare 2Th 3:6, 14), so as neither to bear any responsibility for their procedure, nor seem to give them the least countenance.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 17. Now I beseech you. One great object of this epistle had been to promote peace between the Jewish and Gentile converts. So much did this subject press upon the mind of the apostle, that he seems unwilling to leave it. Re returns to it again and again; and even after the epistle is apparently concluded, he returns to it, to give them a new charge on the subject.

Mark them. Observe attentively, cautiously, and faithfully, (Php 3:17) be on your guard against them. Ascertain who are the real causes of the divisions that spring up, and avoid them.

Which cause. Who make. Probably he refers here to Jewish teachers, or those who insisted strenuously on the observance of the rites of Moses, and who setup a claim for greater purity and orthodoxy than those possessed who received the Gentile converts as Christian brethren. The Jews were perpetually thus recalling the Christian converts to the law of Moses; insisting on the observance of those rites; troubling the churches, and producing dissensions and strifes, Gal 3:1, 5:1-8, Acts 15:1,24.

Divisions. Dissensions; parties; factions, 1Cor 3:3, Gal 5:20. The very attempt to form such parties was evil, no matter what the pretence. They who attempt to form parties in the churches are commonly actuated by some evil or ambitious design.

And offences. Scandals; or that give occasion for others to fall into sin. These two things are different. The first means parties; the other denotes such a course of life as would head others into sin. The Jew would form parties, on the pretence of superior holiness; the Gentiles, or some bold Gentile convert, might deride the scrupulous feelings of the Jew, and might thus lead him into sin in regard to what his conscience really forbade. See Rom 14:15. These persons on both sides were to be avoided, and they were to refuse to follow them, and to cultivate the spirit of unity and peace.

Contrary to the doctrine. To the teaching which you have received in this epistle and elsewhere; the teaching that these divisions should cease; that the Jewish ceremonies are not binding; that all should lay aside their causes of former difference, and be united in one family. See Romans chapters 14 and 15.

And avoid them. Give them no countenance or approbation. Do not follow them. Comp. 1Timm 6:3,4,6, 2Jn 1:10, Gal 1:8,9. That is, avoid them as teachers; do not follow them. It does not mean that they were to be treated harshly; but that they were to be avoided in their instructions. They were to disregard all that they could say tending to produce alienation and strife; and resolve to cultivate the spirit of peace and union. This would be an admirable rule if always followed. Let men make peace their prime object; resolve to love all who are Christians, and it will be an infallible gauge by which to measure the arguments of those who seek to promote alienations and contentions.

(w) "and offenses" 1Timm 6:3-5 (x) "avoid them" Mt 18:17, 1Cor 5:11, 2Thes 3:6,14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 17 Mark them which cause divisions - Several MSS. read ασφαλως σκοπειτε, look sharply after them; let them have no kiss of charity nor peace, because they strive to make divisions, and thus set the flock of Christ at variance among themselves; and from these divisions, offenses (σκανδαλα, scandals) are produced; and this is contrary to that doctrine of peace, unity, and brotherly love which you have learned. Look sharply after such that they do you no evil, and avoid them - give them no countenance, and have no religious fellowship with them.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 16:17-20

How earnest, how endearing are these exhortations! Whatever differs from the sound doctrine of the Scriptures, opens a door to divisions and offences. If truth be forsaken, unity and peace will not last long. Many call Christ, Master and Lord, who are far from serving him. But they serve their carnal, sensual, worldly interests. They corrupt the head by deceiving the heart; perverting the judgments by winding themselves into the affections. We have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon those who are softened by convictions. A pliable temper is good when under good guidance, otherwise it may be easily led astray. Be so wise as not to be deceived, yet so simple as not to be deceivers. The blessing the apostle expects from God, is victory over Satan. This includes all designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Romans 16:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠαρακαλῶParakalōI exhortG3870

δὲdenowG1161

ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771

ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80

σκοπεῖνskopeinto watch out forG4648

τοὺςtousthoseG3588

τὰςtas<the>G3588

διχοστασίαςdichostasiasdivisionsG1370

καὶkaiandG2532

τὰta<the>G3588

σκάνδαλαskandalaobstaclesG4625

παρὰparacontrary toG3844

τὴνtēntheG3588

διδαχὴνdidachēnteachingG1322

ἣνhēnthatG3739

ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771

ἐμάθετεemathetehave learnedG3129

ποιοῦνταςpoiountascausingG4160

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐκκλίνετεekklinetedo turn awayG1578

ἀπ᾽ap᾽fromG575

αὐτῶν.autōnthem.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 16:17

Jude 1:19
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
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.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Titus 3:10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
2 John 1:7-11
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: …
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Galatians 1:7-9
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

mark.
Php 3:17; 2Th 3:14,15
cause.
Ac 15:1-5,24; 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3; 11:18; Ga 1:7-9; 2:4; Php 3:2,3
Col 2:8; 2Pe 2:1,2; 1Jo 2:19; 2Jo 1:7-10; Jude 1:19
offences.
Mt 18:7; Lu 17:1
and.
Mt 18:17; 1Co 5:9-11; 2Th 3:6,14; 1Ti 6:3-5; 2Ti 3:5; Tit 3:10
2Jo 1:10,11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Romans 16:16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18
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.

Read all of Romans 16

Romans 16:17 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y os ruego hermanos, que miréis los que causan disensiones y escándalos contra la doctrina que vosotros habéis aprendido; y apartaos de ellos.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Or je vous exhorte, frères, à avoir l’œil sur ceux qui causent les divisions et les occasions de chute par des choses qui ne sont pas selon la doctrine que vous avez apprise; et éloignez-vous d’eux.
German Elberfelder 1871	Ich ermahne euch aber, Brüder, daß ihr achthabet auf die, welche Zwiespalt und Ärgernis anrichten, entgegen der Lehre, die ihr gelernt habt, und wendet euch von ihnen ab.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Rogo autem vos fratres, ut observetis eos qui dissensiones et offendicula, præter doctrinam, quam vos didicistis, faciunt, et declinate ab illis.