What to Do with Divisive People (Romans 16:17–20)

There is no end to people seek to harm the church until our Lord comes again. We can warn them, but we have no fellowship with them (Titus 3:10–11). We see them for who they are, kindly give truth if they will listen (2 Timothy 2:24–26), but otherwise avoid them (2 Timothy 3:1–9; esp. 3:5b). And whatever harm they do, the church of Christ prevails (cf. Matthew 16:18).

Romans 16:17–20 repeats these thoughts and more in a single passage. What do we do with people who are bent on dividing the church?

Scope them out (Romans 16:17a).

Paul solemnly begins, “I appeal to you, brothers,” and commands, “to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught” (Romans 16:17).

“Watch out” comes from scopeō, from which we get scope—scope them out! We notice them for their actions. First, they “cause divisions,” a work of the flesh that is found within a list of similar sins in Galatians 5:20. Second, they “cause… obstacles” to Christianity that could result in eternal damnation. (See the same word translated a “offense” and “stumbling block” in Romans 9:33 and 11:9.) Such behavior is “contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught.”

Separate from them (Romans 16:17b).

Off the heels of their description, Paul simply commands, “Avoid them.” Again, passages above teach this same action (2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 3:10).

Scrutinize them (Romans 16:18).

Explaining why we avoid them, Paul describes them further. They “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” While motivations may be hard to see, we can scrutinize their words: “by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” They butter people up and appeal to their emotions (“the hearts”) and conceal their true intentions, promising spiritual help while seeking to help only themselves. Such tactics only bring ruin (Prov 26:28; 29:5).

True teachers of God speak “by the open statement of the truth” (2 Corinthians 4:2), not with false, boastful words, “showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 16; cf. 2 Peter 2:3).

Stay away from their evil (Romans 16:19).

Paul encourages the Romans, “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you.” At the same time, Paul clarifies, “but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”

See their coming judgment (Romans 16:20a).

Paul applies a general promise to this particular situation: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” What Genesis 3:15 promised (that God would crush Satan and bring peace) extends to all who follow Christ. Satan—his divisive followers included—will soon be crushed under our feet.

Seek the grace of God (Romans 16:20b).

A general prayer closes off this section: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” We need grace for every matter in life and certainly for detecting and avoiding those who would harm the church.

We will encounter divisive people who obstruct others from serving the Lord. The day of judgment is coming, and their day ends under our feet. May God help us to walk wisely and see these villains for who they are, turning away from them as we keep our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Photo by Matthew Hamilton on Unsplash

David Huffstutler is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. He blogs here, where this article first appeared. It is republished here by permission.