Paul's Solemn Plea To Rome (Lesson 3) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

3. Deceives the Hearts of the Simple

Introductory Remarks.

1. This is lesson three in the sermon series: “Paul’s Solemn Plea To Rome.” This was an urgent and solemn plea from the beloved apostle Paul to the saints at Rome. His message began with a sincere plea to the brethren faithful to the Lord and part of the body of believers in the church in Rome. This solemn plea is given to the faithful saints: to mark and turn away from those causing divisions and offenses in the body of Christ. These are those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their (own) bellies and are making merchandise of babes, the unlearned, unsuspecting, and innocent. Nothing is more important to the church of Christ than to warn her of this solemn message of Paul and all the other apostles.

2. We will investigate what the apostle meant when he wrote: “And by kind speaking and praise deceive the hearts of the innocent,” Romans 16:18b. This sentence outlines the hearts and minds of those who not only preach and teach something other than sound doctrine. But it also includes the hearts and minds of those who will be “beguiled and wholly deceived” by their good words and fair speeches.

3. Paul refers to them as “the innocent and deceived” because they were ignorant and unlearned regarding the “faith of the gospel” and were deceived, and their destruction and damnation were standing at the door. Paul warned them and us that: “Every sin and disobedience shall receive a just recompense of reward,” Hebrews 2:1-2. God’s judgment will be fair and final! Now, let’s consider our last lesson in this sermon series.

BODY OF LESSON

III THAT DECEIVES THE HEART OF THE SIMPLE

A. Paul concludes: “And by (or with) good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple,” Romans 16:18b. The apostle speaks directly to those who make divisions and offenses as being the simple, fooled, and deceived. You might recall that we concluded it was the fathers the apostle is alluding to in this “definite article and noun” 1) The phrase, “unto the” or ho, a definite article, or T-GPM, and 2) the word “fathers” or pater, its noun, or N-GPM.

NOTE: The EGNT reads: “And by kind speaking and praise they deceive the hearts of the simple or innocent,” Page 435. Paul refers to “the fathers” and religious leaders, where he was once a member, a “Hebrew of the Hebrews, and the sect of the Pharisees,” Philippians 3:5-7; Galatians 1:13-14. Paul wrote by their,

1. “Good words” in Gr., is chrestologia, which means fair speaking, the smooth and plausible address that simulates goodness (but is conceived and spoken with evil intent). These false teachers were convincing in their words. They could orate and persuade many. Two such men come to mind at this junction of the lesson. They are Tertullus, an orator hired to speak against Paul in Caesarea, and Apollos, a young rabbi who had just arrived in Ephesus and would “learn the way of God” more perfectly by Aquila and Priscilla, a tent maker and his wife. Observe,

2. First, Tertullus, an orator for the Jews against Paul, Acts 24:1-9. Luke wrote of his address to the governor, Felix. He penned, “And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul:”

a. Tertullus address: “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him (Paul), saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deed is done unto this nation by thy providence.”

1) “We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.”

2) “Notwithstanding, that I will not be further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.”

3) “For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarene.”

4) “Who also hath gone about to profane the temple, whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.”

b. The chief captain’s interruption. Tertullus accused: “But the chief captain Lysias came upon us and violently took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee by examining whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.”

c. The Jews’ witness: “And the Jews also assented, saying that they things were so,” Acts 24:1-9.

3. Paul’s defense. “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself.”