Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Romans 16:19 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 16:19	King James	For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
For your obedience--that is, tractableness is come abroad unto all. I am glad therefore on your behalf--"I rejoice therefore over you," seems the true reading. but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple--"harmless," as in Mat 10:16, from which the warning is taken. concerning--"unto" evil--"Your reputation among the churches for subjection to the teaching ye have received is to me sufficient ground of confidence in you; but ye need the serpent's wisdom to discriminate between transparent truth and plausible error, with that guileless simplicity which instinctively cleaves to the one and rejects the other."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

For your obedience--that is, tractableness

is come abroad unto all. I am glad therefore on your behalf--"I rejoice therefore over you," seems the true reading.

but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple--"harmless," as in Mat 10:16, from which the warning is taken.

concerning--"unto"

evil--"Your reputation among the churches for subjection to the teaching ye have received is to me sufficient ground of confidence in you; but ye need the serpent's wisdom to discriminate between transparent truth and plausible error, with that guileless simplicity which instinctively cleaves to the one and rejects the other."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For your obedience ... - Rom 1:8. Your mild, obedient disposition to learn, and to obey the precepts of the teachers of religion. I am glad ... - I rejoice that you evince such a disposition. But he immediately adds, that "this" was just the temper to be imposed upon, and cautions them against that danger. Wise unto that which is good - Evince understanding of what is adapted to promote good and worthy ends. Simple concerning evil - Greek, "harmless." Not disposed to do wrong; having no plan and yielding to none of the allurements of evil. You have shown your wisdom in "obeying" the gospel. I would have you still evince wisdom toward "every good" design; but to be unacquainted with "any" plan of evil. Do not yield to those plans, or follow those who would lead you into them.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

For your obedience ... - Rom 1:8. Your mild, obedient disposition to learn, and to obey the precepts of the teachers of religion.

I am glad ... - I rejoice that you evince such a disposition. But he immediately adds, that "this" was just the temper to be imposed upon, and cautions them against that danger.

Wise unto that which is good - Evince understanding of what is adapted to promote good and worthy ends.

Simple concerning evil - Greek, "harmless." Not disposed to do wrong; having no plan and yielding to none of the allurements of evil. You have shown your wisdom in "obeying" the gospel. I would have you still evince wisdom toward "every good" design; but to be unacquainted with "any" plan of evil. Do not yield to those plans, or follow those who would lead you into them.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Simple (ἀκεραίους) See on harmless, Mat 10:16.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Simple (ἀκεραίους)

See on harmless, Mat 10:16.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
But I would have you - Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good - As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil - As ignorant of this as possible.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

But I would have you - Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good - As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil - As ignorant of this as possible.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
For your obedience is come abroad - The apostle gives this as a reason why they should continue to hear and heed those who had led them into the path of truth, and avoid those false teachers whose doctrines tended to the subversion of their souls. Yet I would have you wise - I would wish you carefully to discern the good from the evil, and to show your wisdom, by carefully avoiding the one and cleaving to the other.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

For your obedience is come abroad - The apostle gives this as a reason why they should continue to hear and heed those who had led them into the path of truth, and avoid those false teachers whose doctrines tended to the subversion of their souls.

Yet I would have you wise - I would wish you carefully to discern the good from the evil, and to show your wisdom, by carefully avoiding the one and cleaving to the other.

Top