Obedience Come Abroad Romans 16:19

Paul the apostle continued complete his final words to the believers in Rome, he instructed them, “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them”, and he added, “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.” In chapter sixteen and verse nineteen of Romans, Paul told the believers how, “your obedience is come abroad unto all men” where we read:

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf:

but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

The verse begins, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: ”. Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “your obedience” which means “the believers in Rome's compliance and submission in observing the requirements of Christianity” “is come abroad” or “is spread forth” “unto all men” which means “toward each, the whole and every human being whether male or female”. “I am glad” which refers to “Paul rejoiced exceedingly, thrived and was well” “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “on your behalf” which means “toward the believers in Rome's sake”. Paul “rejoiced exceedingly” that the “compliance and submission” of the believers in Rome was known by people everywhere.

The verse continues, “but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Paul added the words, “but yet” which means “moreover and” “I would have you” or “Paul desired, wished, delighted in and had pleasure” “wise” which means “skilled, expert, cultivated and learned” “unto that which is good” or “to exist, happen and be present certainly, surely and indeed”, “and simple” which means “unmixed, pure, without mixture of evil, free from guile and innocent” “concerning evil” which refers to “towards harm, wickedness, ill and bad”. Paul wanted the believers in Rome to “be skilled and expert” in “good things” and “pure and free from guile” toward “wicked and bad things”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how the testimony and witness of the believers in Rome was spread toward all people, and he exhorted them to be “skilled” in “good things” and “pure” from “evil”. People who receive Jesus Christ are to follow these same instructions, and if they have occasion, their witness should be manifest to everyone. God Almighty desires to have a relationship with people that is well-known by others as well as reflecting “obedient” lives that reflect “good” and not “evil”.

Next time Paul shares with the believers in Rome how, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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