“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.”
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. — Ou tō kyriō hēmōn Christō (not to our Lord Christ) douleuōsin (serve they) alla tē heautōn koilia (but to their own belly). Through chrēstologia (smooth/pleasant speech) kai eulogia (flattery, blessing-speech) exapataō (deceive) kardias tōn akakōn (hearts of the innocent). Seduction through rhetoric and self-service masquerades as spirituality.
Church Fathers on Romans 16:18
Again an exhortation, and prayer after the exhortation. For after telling them to “mark them which cause divisions,” and not to listen to them, he proceeds, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly:” and, “The grace of our Lord be with you.” And notice how gently too he exhorts them: doing it not in the character of a counsellor, but that of a servant, and with much respect. For he calls them brethren, and supplicates them likewise. For, “I beseech…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!