Devine Scripture

Romans 16:17

What does Romans 16:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 16:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 16:17 means

Paul now pleads with the believers to keep a close eye on those who create divisions and set traps contrary to the teaching they had received, and to avoid them. Sound doctrine is the guardrail for unity; anything that opposes it fractures fellowship and harms faith. The instruction is both pastoral and protective: identify such people and turn away, not out of pettiness but to preserve the flock. Truth and love require discernment and boundaries. The church’s unity is not maintained by tolerating error but by clinging to apostolic teaching and refusing partnership with those who subvert it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Following the call to a holy expression of unity, Paul immediately addresses threats to that unity. The warning in verse 17 is strengthened in verse 18 by exposing the motives and methods of divisive teachers. Then, in verse 19, Paul balances caution with encouragement about the Romans’ reputation for obedience and a call to wise innocence. This structure keeps the church from paranoia while insisting on vigilance grounded in the gospel.

v.16Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

v.17This passage

v.18For 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 2:19

    They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.

  • Philippians 3:2

    Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:

  • 1 Timothy 1:3

    As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

  • Galatians 1:7

    which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

  • Titus 3:10

    A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;

  • Jude 1:19

    These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.

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