Romans 16:18

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ οὐ δουλεύουσιν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ἑαυτῶν κοιλίᾳ· καὶ διὰ τῆς χρηστολογίας καὶ εὐλογίας ἐξαπατῶσιν τὰς καρδίας τῶν ἀκάκων.

Transliteration

For the such to-the Kyriō of-us Iēsou Christō not douleuousin, but to-the heautōn koilia; and through the chrēstologias and eulogias they-exapatōsin the kardias of-the akakōn.

Grammar Details

• γὰρ: postpositive conjunction - for/because
• τοιοῦτοι: nominative masculine plural demonstrative - such/such ones
• *Kyriō*: dative masculine singular - Lord
• ἡμῶν: genitive plural pronoun - of us/our
• *Iēsou*: dative masculine singular - Jesus
• *Christō*: dative masculine singular - Christ
• οὐ: negative particle - not
• *douleuousin*: present indicative active, 3rd person plural - serve/are slaves to
• ἀλλὰ: adversative conjunction - but
• *heautōn*: genitive plural reflexive pronoun - their own
• *koilia*: dative feminine singular - belly/appetite
• διὰ: preposition with genitive - through/by means of
• *chrēstologias*: genitive feminine singular - smooth talk/fine-sounding words
• *eulogias*: genitive feminine singular - flattery/praise
• *exapatōsin*: present indicative active, 3rd person plural - deceive/mislead
• *kardias*: accusative feminine plural - hearts
• *akakōn*: genitive masculine plural - innocent/unsuspecting

Word Meanings

• *douleuousin*: serve/are slaves to/render service
• *koilia*: belly/appetite/physical desires
• *chrēstologias*: smooth talk/fine-sounding words/plausible speech
• *eulogias*: flattery/praise/blessing
• *exapatōsin*: deceive/mislead/delude
• *kardias*: hearts/minds/inner being
• *akakōn*: innocent/unsuspecting/naive

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites; and by smooth talk and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocent.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} they that are such{G5108} serve{G1398} not{G3756} our{G2257} Lord{G2962} {G2424} Christ,{G5547} but{G235} their own{G1438} belly;{G2836} and{G2532} by{G1223} their smooth{G5542} and{G2532} fair speech{G2129} they beguile{G1818} the hearts{G2588} of the innocent.{G172}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} they that are such{G5108} serve{G1398}{(G5719)} not{G3756} our{G2257} Lord{G2962} Jesus{G2424} Christ{G5547}, but{G235} their own{G1438} belly{G2836}; and{G2532} by{G1223} good words{G5542} and{G2532} fair speeches{G2129} deceive{G1818}{(G5719)} the hearts{G2588} of the simple{G172}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  For they yt are suche serve not ye Lorde Iesus Christ: but their awne bellyes and with swete preachinges and flatteringe wordes deceave the hertes of the innocetes.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For they yt are soch, serue not the LORDE Iesu Christ, but their awne belly: & thorow swete preachinges & flateringe wordes, they disceaue ye hertes of ye innocentes.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For they that are such, serue not the Lorde Iesus Christ, but their owne bellies, and with faire speech and flattering deceiue the heartes of the simple.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For they that are suche, serue not the Lorde Iesus Christe, but their owne belly, and with sweete and flatteryng wordes deceaue the heartes of the innocentes.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.

Referenced Verses

• Phil 3:19 : 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
• Col 2:4 : 4 I say this so that no one may deceive you with persuasive arguments.
• Mic 3:5 : 5 This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim peace when they have something to eat but prepare for war against those who do not feed them.
• 1 Tim 6:5 : 5 These lead to constant friction among people who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means to profit. Stay away from such people.
• 2 Pet 2:3 : 3 In their greed, they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
• 2 Tim 3:2-6 : 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and unholy. 3 They will be unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, and hostile to what is good. 4 They will be traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 5 They will have a form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. 6 They are the kind who creep into homes and capture weak-willed women who are burdened with sins and led astray by various desires.
• Matt 7:15 : 15 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
• Matt 24:11 : 11 'And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.'
• Matt 24:24 : 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
• Matt 24:48-51 : 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• John 12:26 : 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. And where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
• Rom 16:19 : 19 Your obedience has been reported to all. Therefore, I rejoice about you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
• 2 Cor 2:17 : 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God for profit. Instead, with sincerity, as sent from God and in His presence, we speak in Christ.
• 2 Cor 4:2 : 2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not act deceitfully or distort the word of God, but by revealing the truth, we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Cor 11:3 : 3 But I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your minds may be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
• 2 Cor 11:13-15 : 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds.
• Gal 1:10 : 10 For am I now trying to win the approval of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
• Phil 2:21 : 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
• 2 Tim 2:16-18 : 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
• Mal 1:10 : 10 Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors so you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, says the LORD of Hosts, and I will not accept any offerings from your hands.
• Matt 6:24 : 24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
• Col 3:24 : 24 Knowing that you will receive the reward of your inheritance from the Lord, serve the Lord Christ.
• 2 Thess 2:10 : 10 and with every kind of deceit targeting those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
• 1 Sam 2:12-17 : 12 'The sons of Eli were wicked men; they did not know the LORD.' 13 'This was the custom of the priests with the people: Whenever someone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant came with a three-pronged fork while the meat was boiling.' 14 'He would plunge it into the basin, kettle, cauldron, or pot, and whatever the fork brought up, the priest would take for himself. This is what they did to all the Israelites who came to Shiloh.' 15 But even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man offering the sacrifice, ‘Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.’ 16 And if the man said to him, ‘Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,’ the servant would reply, ‘No, give it to me now! If you don’t, I’ll take it by force.’ 17 So the sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.
• 1 Sam 2:29 : 29 Why do you scorn My sacrifice and offering that I commanded for My dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves on the best of all the offerings of My people Israel?
• 2 Chr 18:5 : 5 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, 'Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should I refrain?' They answered, 'Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.'
• 2 Chr 18:12-17 : 12 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, 'Look, the other prophets are all in agreement, predicting success for the king. Let your word be like theirs and speak favorably.' 13 But Micaiah said, 'As surely as the LORD lives, I will say whatever my God says to me.' 14 When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, 'Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should I refrain?' 'Attack and be victorious,' he answered, 'for they will be given into your hand.' 15 The king said to him, 'How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?' 16 Then Micaiah said, 'I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, "These people have no master; let each one go home in peace."' 17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?'
• Ps 19:7 : 7 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
• Ps 119:130 : 130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
• Prov 8:5 : 5 Understand prudence, you simple ones; and you fools, gain a discerning heart.
• Prov 14:15 : 15 The simple believe everything, but the prudent carefully consider their steps.
• Prov 22:3 : 3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
• Isa 30:10-11 : 10 They say to the seers, 'See no more visions!' and to the prophets, 'Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.' 11 'Leave the way, turn aside from the path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!'
• Isa 56:10-12 : 10 Israel's watchmen are blind; they all lack knowledge. They are all mute dogs; they cannot bark. They lie around dreaming, loving to sleep. 11 Yet the dogs are greedy; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; all of them turn to their own way, each seeking his own gain from every quarter. 12 "Come," they say, "let us fetch wine and drink our fill of strong drink! Tomorrow will be like today, or even far better."
• Jer 8:10-11 : 10 Therefore, I will give their wives to others and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 11 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.
• Jer 23:17 : 17 They keep saying to those who despise the LORD, ‘The LORD says you will have peace.’ And to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his heart they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
• Jer 28:1-9 : 1 In the same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, Hananiah son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the sight of the priests and all the people, saying: 2 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.' 3 Within two years, I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took from here and carried to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, along with all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.' 5 Then the prophet Jeremiah responded to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people standing in the house of the LORD. 6 The prophet Jeremiah said, 'Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing back the articles of the LORD's house and all the exiles from Babylon to this place.' 7 Nevertheless, listen now to this word I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8 The prophets who came before me and you from ancient times prophesied against many nations and great kingdoms of war, disaster, and plague. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his word comes to pass.
• Jer 28:15-17 : 15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, 'Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you have led this people to trust in falsehood.' 16 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.' 17 And the prophet Hananiah died that same year, in the seventh month.
• Ezek 13:16 : 16 along with the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and claimed visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.
• Ezek 13:19 : 19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not live.
• Hos 4:8-9 : 8 They feed on the sins of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. 9 And it will be like people, like priest. I will punish them for their ways, and repay them for their deeds. 10 They will eat but not be satisfied; they will commit fornication but not multiply, because they have abandoned the LORD to pursue their own ways. 11 Fornication, wine, and new wine take away the heart and understanding.
• Titus 1:10-12 : 10 For there are many who are rebellious, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced because they are upsetting whole households by teaching things they should not for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of their own prophets has said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.'
• Jas 1:1 : 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
• 2 Pet 2:10-15 : 10 especially those who follow the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. They are bold and arrogant, and they are unafraid to slander celestial beings. 11 Yet even angels, who are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against such beings before the Lord. 12 These people, however, are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They speak abusively about things they do not understand, and in their destruction, they too will be destroyed. 13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. They consider it a pleasure to indulge in carousing during the day. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, never ceasing from sin. They entice unstable souls and have hearts trained in greed. They are accursed children. 15 They have abandoned the straight way and gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.
• 2 Pet 2:18-20 : 18 For they utter arrogant, empty words and entice those who are barely escaping from others living in error, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh and by debauchery. 19 They promise freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption, for a person is a slave to whatever has mastered them. 20 For if, after escaping the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
• 1 John 4:1-3 : 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.
• Jude 1:1 : 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who are called, loved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.
• Jude 1:12 : 12 These are hidden reefs in your love feasts, feasting with you fearlessly, shepherding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted.
• Jude 1:16 : 16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living according to their own desires. Their mouths speak arrogant words, flattering others for their own advantage.
• Rev 1:1 : 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John.