Steer Clear of Divisive People

June 30th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

After the warm greetings sent by Paul to the church in Rome (vv. 3-16), he sends stern warnings to steer clear of those who cause trouble within their midst (17-20). Though he names those he wished to greet, no specific names are given as to who they should avoid. But no matter where a church is or in what era it exists, divisive people will be there, and they must be avoided.

Now “I urge to you” is a phrase used by Paul seven times in the NT, once by the writer of Hebrews (13:22), and once by Peter (1 Pet. 2:11). On almost every occasion the phrase is used for urging unity in Christ. This implies that divisions and divisive people are always present, always lurking, always to be avoided. Paul’s appeal in v. 17 is that Christians “keep your eye on those who cause dissensions” (cf. Prov. 6:16, 19). The urging is that of a continual “keep your eye on” (Gr. skopeō)—scoping out those who cause “dissensions” (Gr. dichostateō), or discord. Christians are to therefore always be looking for people in the church who grumble about anything, talk negatively about everyone, and are quick to disagree with the elders. These people have the spiritual curse (not gift!) of dividing people and groups and even splitting churches.

Those who bring division to the church can use various means to sow discord, but Paul has in mind specifically those who cause “hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned.” The term for “hinderances” (Gr. skandala) is a reference to traps, or snares (cf. 14:13). These come in the form of a church staff member, elder, or layman preaching something close to what the Bible says but not quite. Typically it comes in the form of one who either avoids biblical doctrines or teaches them in a stealthy way that sounds good but is actually contrary to truth.

In order to fully appreciate what Paul is saying, it is helpful to understand what he is not saying. He is not talking about basic Christian differences of opinion regarding matters over minor interpretations that do not concern one’s eternal soul, although foolish controversies, because they can divide, should also be shunned (2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:9). Paul is talking about those who would purposely deny the “teaching” (Gr. didachē) they had received. So, since Paul taught that man is depraved spiritually and unable to come to salvation on his own as an enemy of God (3:10-18; 5:1), teaching that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone (3:21-26), that those who come to salvation are those predestined to do so (8:28-30; 9:14-29), and that salvation is eternal and can never be lost (8:31-39), anyone who denies this didachē must be shunned. To “turn away from them” (Gr. ekklinō) is to avoid them. As we must always “keep your eye on” those who cause dissensions, so too must we continually keep away” from them (NIV).

There are entire denominations today who attempt to contradict the NT doctrines as given by the apostles of Christ. Many shun the doctrines altogether, never teaching them as opposed to attempting to deny or refute them. Either way, “such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites.” In other words, they serve themselves and their own agendas, not the doctrines of Christ. They seek their own glory (cf. John 7:18), not the glory of God. These false teachers use their knack for “smooth talk” (Gr. chrēstologia) and “flattering speech” (Gr. eulogy) to “deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting,” the naïve or simpleminded. Sadly, the naïve and simpleminded are exactly who the gospel is for! They fill our churches and are hungry for biblical teaching. Sadly, too many pastors today are more about smooth speech and flattery.

Food For Thought
If you’re a member of a church (and you should be!), one of your tasks is to be on the lookout for divisive people. The good ones are masters of stealth, oftentimes quiet people who murmur secretly to others within and outside the church. They have meetings and talk about people within the church, especially the pastor, taking pride in supposedly thinking for themselves while disagreeing with him and the elders. They whisper and convince themselves they are helping, looking out for the church. Don’t be duped by them, and don’t be one of them. They are in every church. If they’re not currently, one will be there shortly. Keep your eye on them and avoid them. Otherwise, you’ll end up being just like them.