As we near the end of Romans, Paul powerfully reminds the church of the intentionality, consistency, and faithfulness required in the Christian life. It is easy to look at people who have done extraordinary things and assume that they were simply born that way. But often, what sets extraordinary people apart is their commitment to simple, intentional practices over time.
In the same way, if we want to see God work powerfully in our lives and in the church, it is not about being “spiritual superstars.” God works through ordinary people who are intentional, consistent, and faithful in following Him. As Paul explains, it is about being intentional in protecting the church, consistent in obedience, and faithful in standing firm in Christ’s victory over evil. Through these practices, we can be part of the extraordinary things God is doing.
In Romans 16:17-23, Paul instructs the church on the importance of these principles — urging them to protect their community, remain obedient, and rejoice in the victory they have in Christ. Let’s explore each of these as we unpack Paul’s words in Romans 16, learning how to live with purpose and unity as followers of Jesus.
1. Protect the Church
We can see Paul’s intentionality as he urges the believers in Rome to protect their church community. Just as he had shown deep affection for them, he now reveals a protective side, warning them about potential dangers to their unity and faith. He outlines three key ways to safeguard the church: watching out for those who cause dissension, turning away from divisive people, and being wise about good while remaining innocent toward evil. Each step is as relevant to us today as it was to the early church, reminding us to be vigilant and intentional in preserving the health of our church family.
Watch Out for Those Who Cause Dissension
Paul’s first piece of advice is to be on guard against those who cause division. Division does not usually appear suddenly; it often grows slowly, creeping in through disagreements, secondary issues, or even well-meaning but misguided teaching. It takes intentionality not only to build up the church by encouraging others but also to prevent dissension from taking root. Paul reminds us that it is our responsibility to notice potential causes of division and to keep them from spreading.
This warning is timely in today’s world, where political, cultural, and even personal opinions can so easily create division. As believers, our focus should be on the gospel, not on issues that ultimately distract us from Christ’s mission. Our goal is to awaken passion for Christ, not for politics or personal preferences. The gospel should be our priority, and any teaching or issue that takes focus away from the message of Christ is a hindrance to the church’s mission.
False teaching, in particular, can be destructive, creating obstacles for people to understand and receive the gospel. While we may not always use the term “doctrine” in everyday conversation, our beliefs about God, Christ, and the Bible shape how we live and influence our faith community. Theology and sound doctrine matter deeply, and they keep us grounded in truth. This is why our church offers resources, core classes, and support to help believers grow in their understanding of God’s Word. We are all theologians in some sense, and as we learn and grow, we protect our church from potential pitfalls.
Turn Away From Those Causing Dissension
Paul then advises believers to turn away from those who persist in causing division. While this may seem harsh, it highlights the seriousness of dissension within the church. Sometimes, it is necessary to establish boundaries, especially if someone’s actions are consistently disruptive or divisive. In cases of clear false teaching, Paul advises believers to separate from those who spread it — stop listening to their messages, stop buying their books, and stop supporting their ministry. These individuals are described as serving their own appetites rather than Christ, often motivated by power or money, using smooth words to deceive unsuspecting people.
But Paul’s instruction is not a blanket directive. Separation should be reserved for those who clearly and knowingly spread false doctrine or continually stir up conflict. For someone who may simply be struggling with doctrinal issues or misguided ideas, our response should be patient guidance, similar to how Apollos was corrected with love and understanding. Only after consistent efforts to guide or correct should we consider further separation, and even then, our goal is to restore rather than reject.
Be Wise to What is Good and Innocent to What Is Evil
The third way Paul instructs believers to protect the church is through wisdom and innocence. In verse 19, he encourages them to be wise in what is good and innocent toward evil, echoing Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:16: “Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Both Paul and Jesus knew that the enemy’s tactics are subtle, often masquerading as truth and that it requires wisdom to discern truth from deception.
So, how do we grow in wisdom toward what is good and innocence toward evil? It begins with abiding in Christ. The closer we are to Jesus — spending time in His Word and within a community of believers — the stronger our foundation becomes. Like a vine firmly rooted, when we stay connected to Christ, we are less likely to be swayed by false teachings or divisive influences. Those deeply rooted in faith are like strong branches on the vine; they stand firm even in storms and are more resilient against outside pressures.
As we draw close to Christ, He reveals the truth to us. When we immerse ourselves in His Word and stay engaged with His people, we develop an inner clarity that makes it easier to recognize false teachings and divisive behaviors. With His guidance, we can be wise about what is good and maintain innocence toward the evils around us. Through these steps, Paul shows us how to protect our church. In doing so, we honor Christ, safeguard our faith community, and stay focused on the mission of spreading the gospel.
2. Be Known for Obedience
In addition to his protective guidance, Paul’s words in Romans 16 reveal his deep appreciation for the consistent obedience of the church in Rome. He celebrates their faithfulness, pointing out that their obedience is widely known and respected. In verse 19, he commends them, reminding us of the power of a community known for its dedication to following God.
As a church family, would not it be wonderful if we, too, were known for our obedience? Not for our own recognition, but so that others see God’s work in us and glorify Him. Imagine if our community, seeing the consistency of our faithfulness, began to praise God because of the obedience they witnessed here. Our obedience, when lived out, speaks volumes about the God we serve and the transformative power of the gospel. Let’s strive for that consistency in our obedience — not for self-promotion, but so God’s name can be lifted high.
3. Rejoice, That We Share in Christ’s Victory Over Satan
As Paul wraps up his letter to the Romans, he leaves them with a powerful reminder of their victory in Christ. In verse 20, he writes, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” This is more than just a promise; it is a proclamation of the ultimate triumph of Jesus over sin and death — a victory that we, as believers, get to share in.
Paul’s choice of words may seem surprising. He refers to God as the “God of Peace” but then talks about crushing Satan. This is not peace in the sense of avoiding conflict; it is peace in the Hebrew sense of shalom, a complete and perfect peace that comes from God’s total victory over evil. True peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s justice and power, bringing order where there was chaos. In this context, peace is God overcoming the enemy on our behalf, conquering Satan, and breaking the chains of sin.
This imagery brings us back to Genesis 3:15, where God declared that one would come to crush the head of the serpent. That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. On the cross, Christ took the punishment for our sins, died, and then rose in victory over death three days later. In doing so, He delivered a fatal blow to Satan, crushing the enemy once and for all. Through repentance and faith in Christ, we are invited into this victory.
But Paul takes it a step further. He tells the Roman believers that God will soon crush Satan under their feet. It is not just Christ who stands victorious; as His followers, we also have a role in this victory. Today, as we live in obedience to Christ, reject false teachings, and stand united in the gospel, we are actively participating in this victory. We overcome Satan’s schemes in our lives and in our church community by choosing unity over division, truth over lies, and obedience over compromise.
This victory is not only for the future; it is a reality we can live in today. Every time we turn away from divisive teachings, resist personal preferences that threaten to disrupt unity, and remain committed to the gospel, we see Satan defeated underfoot. This triumph is as real today as it was for the Roman church 2,000 years ago. So, let us rejoice in this truth and live each day in the victory that has already been won through Jesus Christ. We can be confident that God will continue to do extraordinary things in and through us. We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory — a victory that belongs to every believer now and for all eternity.
