Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetit…”

Romans 16:18

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

American Standard Version

For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

Geneva Bible 1599

For they that are such, serue not the Lord Iesus Christ, but their owne bellies, and with faire speach and flattering deceiue the heartes of the simple.

Darby Translation

For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Young's Literal Translation

for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,

Bible in Basic English

For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked.

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Cross references

“serve”

Galatians 1:10 Philippians 2:21 Matthew 6:24 John 12:26 Colossians 3:24 James 1:1

Galatians 1:10 · BSB

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Philippians 2:21 · BSB

For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:24 · BSB

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

John 12:26 · BSB

If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Colossians 3:24 · BSB

because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

James 1:1 · BSB

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.

“but”

Micah 3:5 1 Timothy 6:5 Philippians 3:19 Hosea 4:8–11 Isaiah 56:10–12 Ezekiel 13:19

Micah 3:5 · BSB

This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

1 Timothy 6:5 · BSB

and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Philippians 3:19 · BSB

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Hosea 4:8–11 · BSB

They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.

Isaiah 56:10–12 · BSB

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Ezekiel 13:19 · BSB

You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived.

“by”

Colossians 2:4 Matthew 7:15 2 Timothy 3:2–6 2 Peter 2:3 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Jude 1:16

Colossians 2:4 · BSB

I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

Matthew 7:15 · BSB

Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Timothy 3:2–6 · BSB

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Peter 2:3 · BSB

In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 · BSB

and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

Jude 1:16 · BSB

These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

“the simple”

Proverbs 22:3 Romans 16:19 Psalm 19:7 Psalm 119:130 Proverbs 8:5 Proverbs 14:15

Proverbs 22:3 · BSB

The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

Romans 16:19 · BSB

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

Psalm 19:7 · BSB

The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:130 · BSB

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Proverbs 8:5 · BSB

O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

Proverbs 14:15 · BSB

The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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.

19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

Read Romans 16