Romans 16:17 Watch Out for Trouble Makers

Romans 16:17 “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)

Have you been in a group that has that noisy trouble maker among them?  Have you been a part of a group that has a member that goes around behind the backs of others stirring up trouble?  This has and does happen in the local church as well.  Paul, as he wraps up his letter to the Romans addresses this problem.

We have to remember that Paul’s audience is the church members in Rome.  As he refers to them as, “Brethren” or brothers in Christ he addresses the group.  As “Brethren” they are to behave as a family of believers with unity.  A breach of this unity is what is risked if Paul’s words are not heeded.  Paul’s letter to the Romans is a very thorough treatise on the Christian faith sent because no Apostle established the church in Rome.  Rather, they came into existence as Christians migrated into Rome having learned of and accepting Christ elsewhere.

This verse is Paul’s warning then for the purpose of maintaining unity within the Church.  There is no direct indication this situation has occurred in Rome but Paul’s warning seems to be based on experience.  We know from Paul’s other writing that false teachers had risen up elsewhere so Paul feels compelled to issue this warning to those in Rome. 

He says to, “Keep your eye on…”.  By this means to watch them, scrutinize how they behave, what they say and the influence they wield.  He goes on to reveal what they are doing; “…Cause dissensions and hindrances”. 

So Paul says that the effect these people have is to cause two things.  First, “Dissensions” could be stirred up.  This would indicate that they may cause people to question the leadership of the church.  The Greek word used is dichostasia which means literally dis-union.  It can also be rendered division and sedition.  So this effect is the opposite of building unity among believers.

The second effect is referred to as “Hindrances” and these are, “Contrary to the teaching which you learned”.  The word used here is skandalon which as it sounds means scandal.  It also can be interpreted a trap, an offense, a thing that offends or a stumbling-block.  The idea then is that these people have the effect of stirring up scandals or setting up false rules that are then broken.  The key in Paul’s description is that these hindrances would be, “Contrary to the teaching which you learned”.  So Paul is saying you know the Truth – follow it rather than any new ideas from potential trouble makers. 

Paul completes his thought with, “Turn away from them”.  Clearly, these men would stir up trouble breaking down the unity of the believers and introduce false teaching contrary to what they had properly learned.

So what does all this mean to us?  As believers we each have a responsibility to read, study and learn God’s Word.  We are warned here and elsewhere that false teachers, those with an un-biblical twist will arise and in some cases infiltrate the Church itself.  We are to be on guard for these bearing a false gospel by being fully aware of the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit.  When these trouble makers are identified they are to be challenged, corrected if possible or run off.  So study God’s Word and be on guard.  AMEN!