Final Instructions and Greetings
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. Rom 16:18
that are such... Anyone who mars the unity or harmony of the local church does not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of his claim. He puts his interest above the welfare and interest of the local church.
but their own... Some are driven by self-interest and self-gratification, often seen in their pretentious, extravagant and immoral lifestyles.
Prov. 14:15 “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.”
and fair speeches... We see in this that some simple people believe whatever is said to them. The simple will fall for anything. Be wise, don’t listen to gossip and be sure to test the spirits.
Mat. 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Believers are to keep away (pres. imper., “keep on turning away”) from such false teachers, who were not serving (douleuousin, “serving as slaves”; cf. Rom. 14:18) Christ, but were slaves to their own appetites (lit., “bellies”; cf. Phlp. 3:19). They were selfish gluttons. The problem, however, was that by smooth talk and flattery they deceived the minds (lit., “hearts”) of naive people (akakōn, “innocent, unsuspecting”).
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