Romans 16:17
New International Version
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

New Living Translation
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

English Standard Version
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
Now I exhort you, brothers, to consider those causing divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and turn away from them.

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

New King James Version
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

New American Standard Bible
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

NASB 1995
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

NASB 1977
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Amplified Bible
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and create obstacles or introduce temptations [for others] to commit sin, [acting in ways] contrary to the doctrine which you have learned. Turn away from them.

Christian Standard Bible
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them,

American Standard Version
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.

Contemporary English Version
My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them!

English Revised Version
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away [from the Christian faith] by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them.

Good News Translation
I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them!

International Standard Version
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements that oppose the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them,

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!

New Heart English Bible
Now I appeal to you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Weymouth New Testament
But I beseech you, brethren, to keep a watch on those who are causing the divisions among you, and are leading others into sin, in defiance of the instruction which you have received; and habitually to shun them.

World English Bible
Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I call on you, brothers, to mark those who are causing the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that you learned, and turn away from them;

Berean Literal Bible
Now I exhort you, brothers, to consider those causing divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and turn away from them.

Young's Literal Translation
And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And I beseech you, brethren, to observe narrowly them having made divisions and scandals against the teaching which ye learned; and bend away from them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But I beg you, brothers, to take note of those who cause dissensions and offenses contrary to the doctrine that you have learned, and to turn away from them.

New American Bible
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them.

New Revised Standard Version
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now I beseech you, my brethren, beware of those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have been taught; keep away from them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But I beg of you my brethren, beware of those who are causing division and subversion outside of the doctrine which you have learned, that you should stay away from them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark those who make divisions and cause offenses in opposition to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them.

Godbey New Testament
But I exhort you, brethren, to mark those who cause divisions and stumblings, contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and depart from them.

Haweis New Testament
Now I beseech you, brethren, keep a sharp eye over those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine ye have learned, and turn away from them.

Mace New Testament
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and revolts against the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.

Weymouth New Testament
But I beseech you, brethren, to keep a watch on those who are causing the divisions among you, and are leading others into sin, in defiance of the instruction which you have received; and habitually to shun them.

Worrell New Testament
Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the teaching which ye learned; and turn away from them.

Worsley New Testament
Now I exhort you, brethren, to mark those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Avoid Divisions
16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings. 17Now 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. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 John 1:10-11
If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. / Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

Galatians 1:8-9
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! / As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

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 6:3-5
If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, / he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, / and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Titus 3:10-11
Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, / knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Acts 20:28-30
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Philippians 3:17-19
Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. / For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

1 Timothy 1:3-4
As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines / or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.

Jude 1:17-19
But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ / when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” / These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

mark.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

2 Thessalonians 3:14,15
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed…

cause.

Acts 15:1-5,24
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved…

1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment…

1 Corinthians 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

offences.

Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luke 17:1
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

and.

Matthew 18:17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: …

2 Thessalonians 3:6,14
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us…

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Appeal Avoid Beg Beseech Cause Causing Contrary Create Defiance Desire Difficulties Dissensions Division Divisions Doctrine Eye Habitually Instruction Learned Mark Note Occasions Offences Offenses Opposition Others Quite Received Shun Sin Stumbling Taught Trouble Turn Urge Watch
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Appeal Avoid Beg Beseech Cause Causing Contrary Create Defiance Desire Difficulties Dissensions Division Divisions Doctrine Eye Habitually Instruction Learned Mark Note Occasions Offences Offenses Opposition Others Quite Received Shun Sin Stumbling Taught Trouble Turn Urge Watch
Romans 16
1. Paul wills the brothers to greet many;
17. and advises them to take heed of those which cause dissension and offenses;
21. and after various salutations ends with praise and thanks to God.














Now I urge you, brothers
The phrase "Now I urge you, brothers" reflects the apostle Paul's deep pastoral concern and affection for the believers in Rome. The Greek word for "urge" is "παρακαλέω" (parakaleó), which conveys a sense of earnest appeal or exhortation. Paul is not merely giving a command; he is passionately encouraging his fellow believers, whom he addresses as "brothers," indicating a familial bond within the body of Christ. This highlights the importance of unity and mutual care within the Christian community.

to watch out for
The phrase "to watch out for" is translated from the Greek word "σκοπέω" (skopeó), which means to look at, observe, or keep an eye on. This implies a vigilant and discerning attitude. Paul is calling the believers to be alert and attentive, not passive or indifferent. In a world filled with spiritual dangers, the call to vigilance is crucial for maintaining the purity and integrity of the faith.

those who create divisions and obstacles
"Those who create divisions and obstacles" refers to individuals who disrupt the unity of the church and hinder spiritual growth. The Greek word for "divisions" is "διχοστασία" (dichostasia), which means dissension or disunity. "Obstacles" comes from "σκάνδαλον" (skandalon), meaning a stumbling block or trap. Historically, the early church faced numerous challenges from false teachers and divisive individuals. Paul warns against such influences, emphasizing the need for doctrinal purity and harmony within the church.

that are contrary to the teaching you have learned
This phrase underscores the importance of adhering to sound doctrine. "Contrary" is translated from "παρά" (para), meaning against or opposed to. The "teaching you have learned" refers to the apostolic doctrine that the Roman believers received. Paul stresses the necessity of remaining faithful to the true gospel, as deviations can lead to spiritual peril. The early church was built on the foundation of apostolic teaching, and any teaching that deviates from this foundation is to be rejected.

Turn away from them
"Turn away from them" is a strong admonition to avoid those who cause division and teach falsehoods. The Greek word "ἐκκλίνω" (ekklino) means to turn aside or shun. Paul is instructing the believers to distance themselves from such individuals to protect their faith and the unity of the church. This directive reflects the biblical principle of separation from falsehood and the pursuit of holiness. In a conservative Christian perspective, this call to separation is seen as essential for maintaining the purity of the church and the believer's walk with God.

(17-20) Here the Epistle would naturally end, but an afterthought occurs to the Apostle, His experience of other churches, especially those at Corinth and in Galatia, suggests to him that he should warn his readers against false teachers, though such had not as yet obtained any great hold among them.

(17) Cause divisions and offences.--Set traps in the way of the unwary, so as to entice them into false doctrine and schismatical practices.

Verse 17. - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause the divisions and offences (τὰ σκάνδαλα, meaning "causes of stumbling." Both the words have the article, so as to denote things known of) contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and avoid them; rather, turn away from them; i.e. shun them; have nothing to do with them. The allusion seems to be, not to persons within the Church, but rather to outsiders, who come with new notions to disturb its peace.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I urge
Παρακαλῶ (Parakalō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

brothers,
ἀδελφοί (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

to watch out for
σκοπεῖν (skopein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4648: To look at, regard attentively, take heed, beware, consider. From skopos; to take aim at, i.e. regard.

those who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

create
ποιοῦντας (poiountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

divisions
διχοστασίας (dichostasias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1370: Division, dissension, standing apart. From a derivative of dis and stasis; disunion, i.e. dissension.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

obstacles [that are]
σκάνδαλα (skandala)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4625: A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.

contrary to
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

teaching
διδαχὴν (didachēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1322: Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

have learned.
ἐμάθετε (emathete)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3129: Prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, matheo, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn.

Turn away
ἐκκλίνετε (ekklinete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1578: From ek and klino; to deviate, i.e. to shun, or to decline.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

them.
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Letters: Romans 16:17 Now I beg you brothers look out (Rom. Ro)
Romans 16:16
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