DRAFT ONLY

Introduction
      In our passage for study Paul continues to deal with personal matters. In v17-20 he warns the believers in Rome to have nothing to do with those who cause divisions and difficulties by opposing sound doctrine. Such persons are false teachers and are not true servants of Christ. In v 21-23 he sends the greetings of his companions to the Roman believers, and Tertius, the apostle's amanuensis (secretary), adds his personal greeting.

The passage
      v17. Having listed his personal greetings, Paul encourages his readers to "greet one another with a holy kiss", or extend a loving hand of fellowship to all the brotherhood, v16. The idea of loving intimate fellowship prompts him to warn his readers about associating with those who undermine the church through false doctrine. Sometimes division is necessary when an issue of truth is at stake. Jesus himself caused division over issues of truth and predicted division and conflict as a natural consequence of gospel proclamation, cf. Matt.10:34-36. Identify such people, says Paul, and keep out of their way.
      v18. These members who attach themselves to the church and who should be avoided, serve "their own appetites." Paul is telling us why they should be avoided, but what does he mean? He may mean they are judaizers preoccupied with food laws, ie. the "weak". They could be the "strong", insisting on their right to eat and drink without considering the sensibilities of their brothers. They just may be those who are slaves to egotism, that is, they walk according to the flesh. At least we have here a general warning to beware of those whose self-importance tends to divide rather than unite.
      v19. Paul again affirms his positive view of the Roman church and gives a general exhortation to think Christianly - take time to understand the truth, reason it through and apply it, while at the same time remaining apart from evil. He is calling for integrity in Christian living.
      v20a. Over this struggle stands the promise that the powers of darkness will ultimately be defeated at the return of Christ.
      v20b. At this point Paul most likely signs the letter himself. The normal practice was to conclude with the word "farewell" in the hand of the author. Paul reworks this standard conclusion with his key word "grace". Paul knows well the wonder of God's gracious kindness freely given to all who seek it in Christ.
      v21-23. Paul adds the greetings of those presently with him in Corinth. Timothy had certainly earned the description "my fellow-worker". Lucius is possibly Luke. The other two may be those referred to in Acts 17:5-7, 9, 20:4.
      v22. Paul's secretary adds his greeting.
      v23. Gius, Paul's host sends his greeting. He may be the same person as Titus Justus, Acts 18:7. He opened his house to the believers after they were removed from the Corinthian synagogue. The church probably met in his house and so Paul stayed with him. Nothing is known of Erastus and Quartus.
      v24. This is a repeat of v20b and is not found in most manuscripts.

Standing up for what we believe
      A mature Christian couple once attended a rather puritanical church. A young girl had acted improperly, and when approached by the elders she had not taken much notice of their rebuke. The following Sunday the girl was called out before the congregation and publicly rebuked. The young girl was devastated, and never again returned to the church. The mature couple were so incensed by the injustice of the whole affair, they too left the church. They did not attend another church for some ten years.
      Discipline is no easy matter. Who disciplines who? In any case, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." In any church dispute, both sides claim the high moral ground. The minister claims the authority of his office and demands submission. Those on his side claim the authority of scripture. Other parties claim similar Biblical support. In such a dispute we tend to see the person on the opposing side as someone who serves "their own appetites", who deceives by "smooth talk and flattery."
      Paul's call to "watch out" for those who do not serve "our Lord Christ" focuses on doctrine. "Keep away" from those who promote a faith "contrary to the teaching you have learned." As for observable traits, watch for the fruit of "division", "smooth talk and flattery" and a tendency toward self-will (serve "their own appetites"). Obviously a clear understanding of truth ("wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil") is the crucial factor to enable us to "keep away from them."
      In an institutional church we may come across many believers with strange ideas and a good selling technique to promote them. Usually the weight of numbers limits their influence and allows us to "keep away from them." When the danger person is the minister, particularly in a hierarchical church like the Anglican church, then moving to another church is usually the only choice before us. As for the responsibility of making such a move, we are bound to have to act on our best understanding of the situation. There is no condemnation in standing on what we believe to be true, even if we are wrong.