Romans 16:17 Meaning: Mark and Avoid Those Who Cause Division
Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;
But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learnt, and turn away from them.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand Paul’s warning to watch out for those causing divisions and stumbling blocks, and learn how to apply it faithfully today.
Context
Paul has spent the entire letter of Romans laying out the gospel of grace and the unity it creates between Jews and Gentiles. Now, as he finishes with a long list of personal greetings, he inserts a sudden, urgent warning. False teachers are active, causing splits and laying traps that lead others away from the truth they received. The warning is brief but serious: keep your eyes open, and step away from those who undermine the apostolic teaching. It is a pastor’s final, loving plea to guard what they have been given.
Key Words
Three Greek words open up what Paul is asking. The verb skopeō (’look out for’) means to fix your eyes on something with intention, like a watchman scanning the horizon. It is not a passing glance but a steady attention to who is speaking and what they are saying. The noun dichostasia (’divisions’) appears only in Paul’s letters. It suggests a tearing apart, a split that leaves the body fractured. Paired with that is skandalon (’occasions of stumbling’), the trigger of a trap, something that catches a person off guard and causes them to fall. These words together name a pattern: people who break unity and harm faith. The response Paul commands is ekklinō (’turn away’): a deliberate bending aside from their influence, not out of fear but out of love for the truth you hold.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this warning carefully. Many early interpreters, including Barnes and Gill, believed Paul had Judaizers in view, teachers insisting on the law of Moses as necessary for salvation, causing conflict between Jewish and Gentile believers. Others, like the Cambridge Bible and Bishop Lightfoot, see here the opposite error: antinomians who rejected moral law entirely and used flattery to win followers. Both groups were tearing the church apart and leading people away from the gospel they had received. Despite the disagreement, all readers agree that Paul is calling for discernment and protective distance from any teaching that contradicts the apostolic message.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to think Paul commands us to avoid anyone we disagree with, turning the church into a place where only those who think alike are welcome. In fact, the warning is specific: it applies to people who cause division and set traps by teaching something contrary to the doctrine the Romans learned from the apostles. Not all disagreement is division. The issue is the source and aim of the teaching, not the discomfort of difference.
Living This Out
This week, you may hear a sermon, read a post, or follow a teacher who sounds compelling. Paul’s instruction gives you a way to respond. Ask yourself: does this person build up the unity of the church or create factions? Does what they say lead you toward the gospel you know, salvation by grace, the lordship of Christ, a life of love and holiness, or away from it? If the answer gives you pause, you have permission to step back. It is not unkind to protect your faith. It is wise.
Main takeaway: Paul urges us to recognize destructive teaching and division, and to lovingly distance ourselves from those who lead others away from the truth.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul says to watch out for people who teach wrong things about Jesus and cause fights at church. If someone says something that doesn’t match the Bible, it’s okay to stay away from that teaching.
For ages 9, 12
Paul warns that some people will cause divisions and lead others into sin by teaching things that aren’t true. He tells us to ’mark’ them, that means pay close attention to what they say and do. If their teaching goes against what you learned from the Bible, you should turn away from them. That doesn’t mean being mean; it means protecting your faith. Always check what you hear against Scripture.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean to 'mark' those who cause divisions?
The Greek word is skopeō, which means to look at closely, to fix your eyes on. Paul wants believers to be watchful and discerning, not naive. It means recognizing false teaching when you see it and not being taken in by smooth words.
Does Romans 16:17 mean we should avoid anyone we disagree with?
No. Paul specifically targets people who cause division and lay stumbling blocks by teaching contrary to the apostolic doctrine. Christians can disagree on non-essentials and still love each other. The warning is about those who disrupt unity and lead others into error.
Who were the people Paul warned about in this verse?
Commentators offer two main possibilities. Some think they were Judaizers who insisted on keeping the law of Moses for salvation. Others believe they were antinomians who rejected moral law and lived loosely. Both groups were causing trouble by distorting the gospel.
How should Christians apply Romans 16:17 today?
Be alert to teachings that contradict central gospel truths: salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, the authority of Scripture, and the call to holy living. If a teacher repeatedly causes division and leads people away from these truths, it may be wise to distance yourself from their influence.
Should we still love people we turn away from?
Yes. Turning away from their teaching does not mean stopping love or prayer for them as people. We can pray for their repentance and even engage respectfully when possible, but we should not give a platform to teaching that endangers souls.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study