"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them." Romans 16:17
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome commanding them regarding those in the church who cause divisions and offenses among the brethren. First, he asked that such people be marked; this means that they are to be identified. Then he tells them what to do with them that cause divisions: avoid them. This is one of the sternest commands in the bible against wrong doers in the church.
But why would Paul give such an instruction to the church regarding divisive people in the church? Division is often caused by heretical teachers who introduce doctrines that have the capability of tearing the body apart. Often these doctrines introduce questionable practices that do not have their foundation in the word of God. False doctrines, once introduced to the church leads to rancor and party spirit, and factions. Those who form such factions always have ulterior motives.
The second set of people to be marked and avoided are those who cause offense. These are different from those who cause divisions. Those who cause offense are the people make people to follow the path of sin. Sin, when not curbed, brings about a break in fellowship with God, and divisiveness, if not nipped in time, has the capacity to weaken the body. Both of these are enemies of grace. Another result of division and offense is that the Holy Spirit is not allowed to do all that He would have wanted to do because He is a uniting Spirit not a divisive Spirit; and He is a holiness Spirit and not a sinning Spirit.
Toni
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome commanding them regarding those in the church who cause divisions and offenses among the brethren. First, he asked that such people be marked; this means that they are to be identified. Then he tells them what to do with them that cause divisions: avoid them. This is one of the sternest commands in the bible against wrong doers in the church.
But why would Paul give such an instruction to the church regarding divisive people in the church? Division is often caused by heretical teachers who introduce doctrines that have the capability of tearing the body apart. Often these doctrines introduce questionable practices that do not have their foundation in the word of God. False doctrines, once introduced to the church leads to rancor and party spirit, and factions. Those who form such factions always have ulterior motives.
The second set of people to be marked and avoided are those who cause offense. These are different from those who cause divisions. Those who cause offense are the people make people to follow the path of sin. Sin, when not curbed, brings about a break in fellowship with God, and divisiveness, if not nipped in time, has the capacity to weaken the body. Both of these are enemies of grace. Another result of division and offense is that the Holy Spirit is not allowed to do all that He would have wanted to do because He is a uniting Spirit not a divisive Spirit; and He is a holiness Spirit and not a sinning Spirit.
Toni
