Romans 16:18
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.
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Study Note
Paul's warning against those who 'serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive' identifies self-serving motivation concealed within persuasive speech as a primary danger to the community. The phrase 'smooth words and flattery' (chrēstologia kai eulogia) identifies the vehicle of deception as precisely what sounds edifying and positive — a warning against the seductiveness of pleasant-sounding teaching that lacks doctrinal integrity. Philippians 3:19 uses similar language ('their god is their belly') for opponents who are not explicitly immoral but whose fundamental orientation is self-centered rather than Christ-centered. The verse is relevant to contemporary discussions of prosperity theology, therapeutic preaching, and any teaching primarily shaped by what audiences want to hear rather than what they need.
Bản dịch khác
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.
for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,
For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked.
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