![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Avoid those who teach false doctrine.<\/p>\n \u201cUrge<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek verb parakal\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cto call alongside.\u201d It is one of those verbs that has a number of nuances depending on how it is used. It can mean \u201cto encourage, to comfort, to invite, to call for, to help, or to urge.\u201d<\/p>\n The verb \u201cnote<\/span>\u201d is from skope\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto spy out, to look toward, to give attention to, or to be on the lookout for.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDivisions<\/span>\u201d is from dichostasia<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cseparate standings.\u201d It is a picture of two groups of people standing separate from each other.<\/p>\n The word \u201coffenses<\/span>\u201d is from skandalon<\/em><\/span>, which we have seen before. It refers to the trigger of a trap. Here it refers to something which will cause other Christians to stumble in their walk with God.<\/p>\n The word \u201cdoctrine<\/span>\u201d is translated from didach\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201csomething which is taught.\u201d Here it is a reference to the teachings, or doctrines, of the church.<\/p>\n \u201cAvoid<\/span>\u201d is from ekklin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of ek<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cout\u201d and klin\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto bend, to incline, or to turn.\u201d Thus ekklin\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto turn away from\u201d or \u201cto completely avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n Having finished all of the personal greetings he wanted to send to his friends at the church in Rome, Paul now gives one final word of caution. He tells them to be on the lookout for \u201cwolves in sheep\u2019s clothing.\u201d That is, he is warning about people who are not focused on the good of the church and the unity of the body. Instead, these people are focused on what they want rather that what God wants for the church.<\/p>\n In the Greek text, both the word translated \u201cdivisions\u201d and the word translated \u201coffenses\u201d have definite articles associated with them. In other words, Paul is warning about those people who cause the<\/em> divisions and the<\/em> offenses. Thus, there must have been specific problems that he wanted them to avoid.<\/p>\n We know from several of Paul\u2019s other letters that there were several false teachings that had crept into the church even in its earliest years. Two of these false doctrines were legalism, and an early form of Gnosticism. Most of Paul\u2019s letter to the Galatian churches and part of this letter to the Romans addressed the issue of Legalism because there were many converted Jews in the early church who believed that Christians had to keep the law in order to remain saved. Another heresy that crept into the early church was Gnosticism, which tried to spiritualize many of the teachings of Christianity, introducing the notion that there was some \u201cspecial knowledge\u201d that was required to complete salvation. Paul\u2019s specific instructions were to \u201cturn away from and completely avoid\u201d those who professed these false doctrines.<\/p>\n Teaching true doctrine and the unity of the body of Christ are both essential aspects of the Church. Be on the lookout for false teachers and avoid them like the plague!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n