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.
Romans 16:18 in other translations
| BSB | For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. |
|---|---|
| WEB | For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. |
| ASV | For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. |
| YLT | for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless, |
| DARBY | For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. |
| BBE | For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked. |
| Webster | 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. |
What does Romans 16:18 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
But their own belly. Their own lusts; their own private interests; they do this to obtain support. The authors of parties and divisions, in church and state, have this usually in view. It is for the indulgence of some earthly appetite; to obtain office or property; or to gratify the love of dominion.
And by good words. Mild, fair, plausible speeches; with an appearance of great sincerity, and regard for the truth. Comp. Col 2:4, 2Pet 2:3. Men who cause divisions commonly make great pretensions to peculiar love of truth and orthodoxy; and put on the appearance of great sincerity, sanctity, and humility.
And fair speeches. Greek, (ευλογιας) eulogy, praise, flattery. This is another very common art. Flattery is one of the most powerful means of forming parties in the church; and a little special attention, or promise of an office, or commendation for talents or acquirements, will secure many to the purposes of party, whom no regard for truth or orthodoxy could influence a moment.
Deceive the hearts of the simple. The minds of the unsuspecting, or those who are without guile, (τωνακακων). The apostle means to designate those who are simple-hearted, without any disposition to deceive others themselves, and of course without any suspicions of the designs of others. He has thus drawn the art of making parties with the hand of a master. First, there are smooth, plausible pretences, as of great love for truth. Then, an artful mingling of attentions and flatteries; and all this practised on the minds of the unsuspecting, drawing their hearts and affections towards themselves. Happy would it have been if the art had been confined to his own times.
(y) "and by good words" Php 3:19 (z) "fair speeches" Col 2:4, 2Pet 2:3
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Romans 16:18 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 16:18
- Colossians 2:4
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
- Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
- 1 Timothy 6:5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
- Micah 3:5
Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
- Philippians 3:19
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
- 2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
- 2 Timothy 3:2-6
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. …
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.
- Hosea 4:8-11
They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord. Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mt 6:24; Joh 12:26; Ga 1:10; Php 2:21; Col 3:24; Jas 1:1; Jude 1:1
Re 1:1
but.
1Sa 2:12-17,29; Isa 56:10-12; Eze 13:19; Ho 4:8-11; Mic 3:5
Mal 1:10; Mt 24:48-51; Php 3:19; 1Ti 6:5; 2Pe 2:10-15; Jude 1:12
by.
2Ch 18:5,12-17; Isa 30:10,11; Jer 8:10,11; 23:17; 28:1-9,15-17
Eze 13:16; Mic 3:5; Mt 7:15; 24:11,24; 2Co 2:17; 4:2; 11:13-15
Col 2:4; 2Th 2:10; 1Ti 6:5; 2Ti 2:16-18; 3:2-6; Tit 1:10-12
2Pe 2:3,18-20; 1Jo 4:1-3; Jude 1:16
the simple.
19; Ps 19:7; 119:130; Pr 8:5; 14:15; 22:3; 2Co 11:3
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 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.
- Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Romans 16:18 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Porque los tales no sirven al Señor nuestro Jesucristo, sino á sus vientres; y con suaves palabras y bendiciones engañan los corazones de los simples. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car ces sortes de gens ne servent pas notre seigneur Christ, mais leur propre ventre; et par de douces paroles et un beau langage, ils séduisent les cœurs des simples. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn solche dienen nicht unserem Herrn Christus, sondern ihrem eigenen Bauche, und durch süße Worte und schöne Reden verführen sie die Herzen der Arglosen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Hujuscemodi enim Christo Domino nostro non serviunt, sed suo ventri: et per dulces sermones et benedictiones seducunt corda innocentium. |