Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

'their own belly' -they don't serve the Lord! Paul actually said this about some religious people. 'Their own appetites' (NASV) 'Belly' is meant to express all the appetites of the carnal life. (McGarvey p. 550). self-seeking spirit. (1 Peter 3:19 '..whose god is their appetite')

This reveals that false doctrine often arises from moral problems within the individual rather than intellectual problems with the text.

'smooth' -'plausible' (Mof). Speech that sounds like the truth, speech that sounds good. Things that people like to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3) Words that are mild and pleasant. (2 Peter 2:3)

'fair' -2129. eulogia yoo-log-ee'-ah; from the same as 2127; fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e. (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecration; by extension benefit or largess: -blessing (a matter of) bounty (X -tifully), fair speech.

-'flattering words' (RSV) They are good talkers. Just like the old Devil himself (Genesis 3:5).

'It has always been. characteristic of truth that it comes to us in plain and simple garb, rugged, unadorned.' (McGarvey p. 550) (Matthew 7:13; John 14:6; Ephesians 4:4).

'beguile' -1818. exapatao ex-ap-at-ah'-o; from 1537 and 538; to seduce wholly: -beguile, deceive.

'hearts' -the battle for the mind of man.

'innocent' -172. akakos ak'-ak-os; from. (as. negative particle) and 2556; not bad, i.e. (objectively) innocent or (subjectively) unsuspecting: -harmless, simple.

-'unsuspecting' (Mof); 'simple-minded' (RSV); 'suspecting no evil, and therefore liable to be deceived.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 722) 'The innocent are those without wisdom and prudence. The inexperienced! Just today. heard false teachers being likened to "child-molesters". " They pervert and exploit innocence", said the preacher. Ouch! As blunt as Paul and just as much to the point. Self-serving preachers can't help but produce self-serving followers. Is that surprising?' (McGuiggan p. 444) (Matthew 15:14)

Points to Note:

1. Here we see the great need to study the Scriptures. Lack of study makes you. vulnerable target for the false teacher. (Hebrews 5:12)

2. One can be too trusting. The false teacher is able to exploit the naive individual who thinks that every religious person is. true Christian and all religious bodies are merely serving the same God and are all on the same road to heaven.

3. The Christian is to avoid being gullible. (Matthew 10:16; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1)