Warning Against Smooth talks and Flattering Words
Romans 16:17-19
Paul has warned several times in his letters against the threat presented to the early churches by the prevalence of false doctrines. These three verses have listed out a couple of their common characters:
First, they tend to create "divisions and offenses" in contrary to what we have been told. According
to some commentaries, " what we have learned" refers to the previous chapter where Paul deals with those strong in faith shall not be a stumbling stone to those who are weak. But I think, it can also refer to the main theme on which the whole book of Romans centers, I.e., the sinful nature of man and the grace of God.
Second, they are not serving the Lord, but instead serving their own appetites. Or, as the KJV has it, serving their own belly. But how can we tell?
Verse 18 goes on by saying " by SMOOTH TALK and FLATTERY they DECEIVE the hearts of the naive."
Interesting, isn't it?
The whole book of Romans deals with harsh truth. Truths which are shown to us by the mercy of God. Truths that are meant for our GOOD, but they are not for us to FEEL GOOD.
What else can upset us more than being told that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23, 24 ESV), that we are not justified by our own goodness?
That is where all those comforting small talks sneak in which tell you that God is love and eventually everybody will be in heaven. No Hell, no judgement, no sin needs to be dealt with, no wrong needs to be right, no evil needs to be conquered. Just love. All we need is love.
But that is just one side of the story. And without the other side of it, the love of this neon God cannot endure the harshness of reality. And the other side of the story is what Paul wanted to tell us so much, and the whole Bible shouts at us: GOD IS HOLY.
When you understand His Holiness, you can start to understand our sinfulness and His Mercy and His Love. We don't start with love, but we will surely end in His Love.
Be wise as to what is good.
First, they tend to create "divisions and offenses" in contrary to what we have been told. According
to some commentaries, " what we have learned" refers to the previous chapter where Paul deals with those strong in faith shall not be a stumbling stone to those who are weak. But I think, it can also refer to the main theme on which the whole book of Romans centers, I.e., the sinful nature of man and the grace of God.
Second, they are not serving the Lord, but instead serving their own appetites. Or, as the KJV has it, serving their own belly. But how can we tell?
Verse 18 goes on by saying " by SMOOTH TALK and FLATTERY they DECEIVE the hearts of the naive."
Interesting, isn't it?
The whole book of Romans deals with harsh truth. Truths which are shown to us by the mercy of God. Truths that are meant for our GOOD, but they are not for us to FEEL GOOD.
What else can upset us more than being told that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23, 24 ESV), that we are not justified by our own goodness?
That is where all those comforting small talks sneak in which tell you that God is love and eventually everybody will be in heaven. No Hell, no judgement, no sin needs to be dealt with, no wrong needs to be right, no evil needs to be conquered. Just love. All we need is love.
But that is just one side of the story. And without the other side of it, the love of this neon God cannot endure the harshness of reality. And the other side of the story is what Paul wanted to tell us so much, and the whole Bible shouts at us: GOD IS HOLY.
When you understand His Holiness, you can start to understand our sinfulness and His Mercy and His Love. We don't start with love, but we will surely end in His Love.
Be wise as to what is good.
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