In the first three blog posts, we saw that Paul calls upon believers to distance themselves from religious mixing and from those who abandon the truth. This is not an isolated appeal, but a recurring theme in his letters. We find this same theme in Romans 16 as well.
Romans 16 ISA
17 And I urge you, brothers, to take note of those who – contrary to the teaching you learned- create dissensions and traps, and avoid them!
take note
Paul begins by calling on them to take note of these people. He is referring to individuals who provide teaching that lies outside, or literally: alongside, the instruction the Romans had received from Paul. Their doctrine does not align with the gospel he had proclaimed.
Paul also states the consequence of their teaching: they cause dissensions and traps. Where there is a departure from the truth, division arises. People become entangled in all manner of winds of doctrine.
What, then, is Paul’s instruction?
Avoid them!
deviant teaching
Once again, Paul is not calling for withdrawal from society or from people in secular contexts. His warning is directed at those who deviate from the teaching he had given and who drag others along with them. We ought to distance ourselves from such teachers and their doctrine.
Ultimately, truth and falsehood do not mix. Therefore, anyone who holds fast to Paul’s teaching will naturally turn away from anything that conflicts with it.