Bible Strands
Romans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church in the closing section of his letter, following a direct command (16:17) to turn away from divisive teachers. This verse supplies the diagnostic: what such people actually do.
The words — τοιοῦτοι (toioutoi), "such," is a demonstrative pointing back to the people of v.17 with a tone of dismissal, as if to say "this type." Paul also specifies the full title "our Lord Jesus Christ" (κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν), not merely "Christ" or "Lord."
The thread — The same pattern of smooth speech masking a predatory aim appears in Colossians 2:4 (deception through "smooth rhetoric"), Matthew 7:15 (false prophets in sheep's clothing), and Micah 3:5 (prophets who "chew with their teeth" while proclaiming peace).
Why it lands — The verse ties motive, method, and target together: the speaker serves appetite, uses flattery, and aims at the naive. It asks the reader to treat smoothness as a red flag, not a credential.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Colossians 2:4 I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.
- Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
- 1 Timothy 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.
- Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
- 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
- 2 Peter 2:3 In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
- Jude 1:16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
- Hosea 4:8 They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.