Romans 16:17

Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul, writing to the Roman church, shifts from communal greetings (v. 16) to a direct warning against internal disruption. The verse sits between the closing salutations and the doxology, functioning as a final pastoral guardrail.

The words — σκοπεῖν (skopein) carries the sense of deliberate, sustained watching, not a casual glance; διχοστασίας (dichostasias) names the specific product of the threat: splits, factions, a community torn along a line.

The thread — Jude 1:19 identifies the same "division-makers" as worldly and Spiritless; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 issues a comparable command to keep away from undisciplined brothers; 1 Timothy 6:3 warns against those who teach contrary to "the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Why it lands — The reader is not told to debate, correct, or tolerate; the instruction is to identify the divergence from what has been taught and then turn away. The criterion is not personality or popularity but conformity to the teaching already received.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Jude 1:19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
2 Thessalonians 3:14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Galatians 2:4 This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Philippians 3:17 Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.