Peter Barnes | Romans 16:17-18
SERMON NOTES
BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS
(Romans 16:17-18)
– warnings against false teachers (e.g. Acts 20:29-31; Gal.1:6-10; Col.2:16-23; Tit.1:10-16; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude). Hence Acts 17:11.
1. The right response to this kind of false teaching.
– 16:17-18. Douglas Moo may be right in his suggestion that they were on the way to Rome, but had not yet reached the city.
(a) Be aware. Watch out (NIV), says Paul, or mark these out.
(b) Hold to Scripture.
(c) Avoid false teachers.
– compare 2 Thess.3:6 to 2 Tim.2:17-18 with 1 Tim.1:20. Robert Haldane comments that ‘the most dangerous and mischievous divisions are those which do not call for separation.’ Perhaps they are riding some hobby horse in an unhelpful way.
2. The effect of false teaching.
(a) It creates divisions. Sometimes it is necessary to be contentious – Gal.2:11-14. In the Corinthian church there were divisions that should never have been there – 1 Cor.1:12.
(b) It creates obstacles.
(c) It deceives. Prov.14:15.
3. The corruption of false teachers.
(a) They do not serve Christ.
(b) They are self-serving. Philippians 3:19.
(c) They flatter and deceive. Cyril of Jerusalem referred to poison pills coated with honey.