D. Final exhortation (16:17–20)
D. Final exhortation (16:17–20)
On the relation of this warning against subversive intruders to the letter as a whole, see pp. 268, 271. Those intruders partake of the character of the workers of iniquity against whom Paul warns other churches (cf. 2 Cor. 11:12–15; Phil. 3:2, 18–19). The reputation which the Roman church enjoyed for fidelity to the gospel was such, however, that a brief admonition against such sowers of discord would be sufficient. Discord was the work of Satan, and these men were servants of Satan (2 Cor. 11:14); but if the Roman Christians kept them and their teaching at a distance, God, who is the God of peace, not of discord (cf. 1 Cor. 14:33), would give them the victory over Satan and all his works.
17. I appeal to you, brethren. Cf. 12:1; 15:30; and see note on 12:1 for the ‘diplomatic’ flavour of parakaleō. There is nothing peremptory about this admonition.
Dissensions and difficulties. ‘Dissensions’ (dichostasiai) are included among the ‘works of the flesh’ in Galatians 5:20. ‘Difficulties’ (skandala) are obstacles in the way. One such obstacle or ‘hindrance’ has been mentioned in 14:13, and it may be included among those in view here.
In opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught. ‘Or to the standard of teaching to which you were committed’ (6:17; the same word, didachē, is translated ‘teaching’ there and ‘doctrine’ here). Paul is confident that the teaching which the Roman church has received is on the same lines as that which he imparted to his own churches; indeed, if the Romans pay heed to what he has said to them in 14:1–15:7, they will be safeguarded against the propaganda of the intruders to whom he now refers.
18. Such persons … serve … their own appetites. Literally, ‘their own belly’ (koilia); cf. Philippians 3:19, ‘their god is the belly.’ If this implies (among other things) laying down the law about food, Paul’s earlier words would be apposite: ‘Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God’ (14:20). It is impossible to be sure about the particular form of teaching against which Paul’s present warning is given.
19. I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil—not so ‘simple-minded’ as to swallow whatever is offered (verse 17). Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:20, ‘do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature’; also Matthew 10:16b, ‘be wise as serpents and innocent [akeraioi, translated ‘guileless’ here] as doves.’
20. The God of peace. The title is repeated from the benediction of 15:33. It is specially apposite here, since Satan is the author of discord.
Will soon crush Satan under your feet. An echo of Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman is to bruise the serpent’s head. The people of Christ share in his victory. Cf. Psalm 91:13.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P46 and some other early witnesses omit ‘Christ’; the western text omits the whole benediction, postponing it to verse 24 (see p. 280).