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.
— ROMANS 16:17 —
Veniamin Portansky: Word of Grace Bible Institute | USA
This text reveals Paul’s passionate care and love for people in the church. He loves these people and is concerned about unity among them. He knows that unity is in danger from false teachers who creep into churches, teach contrary to the apostles, and cause division and confusion. Sound doctrine is foundational for true unity in the church. Without submitting to the authority of the word of God, there is no foundation other than personal preferences and majority opinion. We must reject any claim of love that is contrary to the truth—especially if it leads us to disobey the truth. A church built on the traditions and opinions of people will elevate these things above Scripture—and it will be marked by dissensions and factions. Therefore, Paul warns his brethren to have nothing to do with false teachers who preach a different gospel. In such cases, isolation preserves unity. In the contemporary Christian world, there are two polar opposite positions: valuing truth above all, even at the expense of relationships; and valuing relationships above all, even at the expense of truth. The former is ready to take a firm stand in the struggle for the purity of truth, while the latter argues that love and acceptance is more important than doctrine, twisting the meaning of Scripture to suit its interests. God’s love is grounded in truth. What the world calls love is fickle and self-serving. We must reject any claim of love that is contrary to the truth—especially if it leads us to disobey the truth. Remember, only the gospel of Jesus Christ creates true unity. Therefore, love people and seek to unify them in the sound doctrine of the gospel.
