Beware of Wolves!

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” -Romans 16:17–18

Twenty times in this letter, Paul appeals to the church as his brothers. This is a term that is as much endearing as it is an acknowledgement of their identity in the family of God. He warns his brothers to watch for those who would hinder the gospel work and injure the flock, elsewhere referred to metaphorically as wolves (Luke 10:3; Acts 20:29).

Paul warns them how to identify a wolf: it’s one who causes divisions and creates a scandal over the instructions of the apostles. The ESV renders the English as saying create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. It is a fine translation but seeing the words Paul actually uses can be helpful in seeing the critical nuance: καὶ τὰ σκάνδαλα παρὰ τὴν διδαχὴν ἣν ὑμεῖς ἐμάθετε ποιοῦντας (literally, and create a scandal with, by, or against the teaching you have been made to learn).

In the New Testament, σκάνδαλα is used four times in this form and is translated “causes of sin,” “temptations,” and “temptations to sin,” in addition to this translation of “obstacles.” The translation here seems fairly tame compared to the other translations of the word that gives us the English word scandal or scandalize.

Those who divide the church and create temptations for those in the body of Christ to contend against the established teachings of the church are to be avoided. They are insincere no matter how sincere and believable they seem. They serve their own appetites and not the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason they sound so compelling and believable is because they are sophists. They flatter and they use smooth speech to deceive the naive. An interesting note is the single Greek word translated “smooth talk” is χρηστολογία. In classical Greek culture, a χρηστολόγος is a bad person who makes a fine speech.

I appeal to you, brothers. Beware of wolves!