“For your
obedience is come abroad to all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but
yet I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”
(v.19)
Here in the first part of verse 19, Paul is addressing thirty five saints of
the metropolis in the Roman empire. These people, mentioned by name throughout
the chapter, had forsaken the gods of their forefathers and now worshipped the
God of the Jews, Jesus Christ. He commends them here for their obedience to the
gospel and the testimony it has provided abroad to all men.
Then
comes the exhortation, “but yet I would have you wise to that which is good,
and simple concerning evil.” Meaning, not only obedient, but well informed
concerning what is good and unacquainted with evil. Paul’s concern for them
centered on false teachers bring a different gospel, even someone from within fellowship inventing a false doctrine. Therefore,
the warning to be “wise” and able to discern truth from falsehood, and to remain “simple”, innocent in the faith and not deceived.
A
good exhortation for us all.
The
Truth
“For God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
