Romans 16:19

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church at the close of his letter, immediately after warning that certain teachers serve their own appetites and deceive the naive (Romans 16:18). He affirms their obedience before turning to a charge for discernment.

The words — ὑπακοή (hupakoē) carries the sense of full subjection, not mere hearing; ἀφίκετο (aphiketo) is the aorist of "to reach," so the image is their obedience having arrived at everyone's ears.

The thread — The "wise in good, innocent in evil" pattern recurs in Matthew 10:16 (shrewd as serpents, innocent as doves), 1 Corinthians 14:20 (in evil be infants, in thinking be mature), and Philippians 2:15 (blameless and pure in a crooked generation).

Why it lands — The verse asks for clear-eyed moral perception: recognize what is good, refuse what is evil, and do not let smooth talk substitute for that discrimination.

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 your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Cross-references

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Philippians 2:15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.
Jeremiah 4:22 “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Psalms 101:2 I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.