Summary of passage: Paul warns the Romans to be wary of and to stay away from those who will cause divisions or put obstacles in their way that is contrary to the Lord’s word. These people deceive others and are serving only themselves. Be wise and may the grace of Jesus be with them.
Questions:
7) You yourself have to know the Word so you can make sure you are not being deceived by those who claim to be teaching the Lord’s Word. Be careful of teachers who may be out for themselves.
8 ) These people teach contrary to the Lord’s Word. Stay away from them.
9) Being innocent is staying away from what you know to be evil such as anti-Christians, those doing evil things such as abusers or law-breakers, and those who encourage you to disobey God and His commandments and what you know to be right. Basically, avoid amoral people. Being wise about what is good is craving more of it, being near those who are leading a Godly-life, and following God’s commands and His purpose for you.
10) Part personal Question. My answer: Satan will be destroyed. I know God will win and I can overcome Satan and sin with God’s help.
Conclusions: A lot here for such a short passage. Great advice from Paul. In essence, surround yourself with Godly-people who will support your calling on this side of heaven.
End Notes: Paul is referring to those who will divide God’s people and those who will deceive God’s people. We must guard ourselves against this and not tolerate it by being indifferent.
Morris speculates: “It may well be that Paul took the pen and wrote these words himself . . . It is quite possible that Paul wrote these words, then passed the pen back to Tertius for a postscript. Something unusual happened at the end of this letter, and this is a very possible understanding of it.”
The smooth words and flattery is the weapon of deceivers. They usually target the naive or those who do not know/understand God’s Word. These people are selfish.
The Romans are doing a good job of avoiding these people, but Paul wants to emphasize it.
We see that God does the crushing, but Satan ends up under the feet of believers.
Satan will be crushed when he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3). Every victory God wins for us right now is a preview of that event.