Romans 16:18

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

17 Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
KJV
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
WEB
For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
ASV
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
DARBY
For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
BLB
For such do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and through smooth talk and blessing they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
ÅB
For slike tjener ikke vår Herre Jesus Kristus, men sin egen buk. Ved smigrende tale og fine ord forfører de de enfoldige.
OTB
For slike personer tjener ikke vår Herre Kristus, men sine egne lyster. Ved glatt tale og smiger bedrar de de godtroendes sinn.
B1930
for disse tjener ikke vår Herre Jesus Kristus, men sin egen buk, og ved sin søte tale og sine fagre ord dårer de de enfoldiges hjerter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Colossians 2:4

    I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 7:15

    Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

    Read in context
  • Micah 3:5

    This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

    Read in context
  • Philippians 3:19

    Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 2:3

    In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

    Read in context
  • 2 Timothy 3:2–6

    For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:16

    These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

    Read in context