Mark and AVOID

 “MARK THEM. . . AND AVOID THEM”

      But what shall we do in the case of a teacher who teaches error? If a good friend, should we just overlook it, hoping that perhaps some day he will learn better? If he’s not a good friend, maybe we ought to “smear his name” by publicly branding him a false teacher, based on the rumors we have heard about him. Both of these attitudes are to be found in the LORD’S church today. And both are wrong. Why not simply do what the Scriptures tell us? Without respect of persons.

With concern for the soul, we should “take him aside, and expound unto him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26),  just as Priscilla and Acquila did with Apollos. When one “errs from the truth” (James 5:19) today, doesn’t he deserve the same concern and consideration? As Paul wrote to Timothy, “In meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will” (2 Tim 2:25-26). That teacher’s soul is important, so make every effort to save him.

But what if he persists in teaching the error? The Bible answers that, also. Jesus, through John’s writing, told the church in Ephesus, “I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false” (Rev 2:2). Such men were still important, and their souls were important. But their influence was not to be allowed to contaminate the church. The same principle is found in Rom 16:17, “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them” (Rom 16:17). Some complain that such action is too harsh. But it wasn’t too harsh then!

John writes about false teachers in 2 John 9-11, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God; he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.” Some try to dodge the force of this teaching by quibbling that the “teaching” in those verses refers only to the divinity of Christ. But they miss the point. To receive one who teaches error, and bid him God-speed is to be partaker of his error. If we, by our silence, allow error to be taught, we have become guilty of that error and its results.

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“WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED”

     God has given several reason for “marking” the teacher of error. After he had told Timothy to “shun profane babblings,” the apostle Paul gives the result of such teaching: “But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of who is Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who concerning the truth have erred.” (2 Tim 2:16-18). The same idea is found in Rom 16: 17-18, “Turn away from them. 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.” In short, the influence of the teacher of error much not be allowed to destroy the faith of members of the Lord’s church.

When God gave the qualifications of elders in Titus 1, he stated last, “Holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers. For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole house, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:9-11). Yes, we must have patience with teachers of error, and we must be concerned for their souls. But we must also be concerned for the souls of others! Yes, let’s help the teacher of error, but we dare not allow him continue teaching that error “while he studies the issue.” God said it clearly, and we had better pay attention: “Whose mouths must be stopped.”

Under the guise of love and patience and time to study the issue, false teachers have been allowed to continue their teaching. And churches have been split, faith has been subverted, Christ and His gospel and His church have been held up to ridicule-and souls have been forever lost. We need love and patience and time to study. But meanwhile, let’s make sure that the teaching of error is not continued! The Lord Jesus Christ never intended that His church should become an open forum for those who would ridicule and destroy it. And while some will deplore the “lack of freedom” by following these Scriptures cited above, we must remember that “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). For that reason, the Lord allows us freedom only within the bounds of His truth.

We live in perilous times. We have expected Satan’s influence to bombard us from without, But now his attack is coming from those within the church. We are being inundated with various doctrinal errors from pulpits within churches of Christ-instrumental music, women in position of public leadership, that baptism doesn’t really save, that we are a denomination and should admit it and “join the other denominations,” etc. Many of our largest congregations have already “progressed” far into several of the above errors, and are seeking to lead other with them. The ingratiating personality and great ability of the preacher only makes the danger of the teaching that much more dangerous While we try to “save that ability for the work of Christ,”  we must also have love for the church and concern for the souls of those who are being taught and respect for the authority of God. Let’s have enough love for the teacher of error to seek to show him the truth of Christ. But let’s also have the courage to shut his mouth until he accepts the truth. That is exactly what the Lord says, “Whose mouths must be stopped.”  (Titus 1:11).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17-18, KJV).

At the close of his letter to Rome, Paul told the brethren to “mark” and “avoid” certain people. In other words, he was urging them to observe these individuals and be aware of who they were so they could not keep company with them.

Why would the apostle tell these brethren to do this? What was this to accomplish? What would this look like in practice? It is important that we understand what Paul was teaching here. We can answer these questions from the word of God.

Reasons Why This Might Be Done

It is important that we realize that we are not free to do this for any reason we choose. The Lord wants His people to have unity (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:3), so we need to be sure that we understand the Scriptural reasons why we would need to “mark” and “avoid” certain ones.

• One is causing division – “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17). Paul described those who caused “dissensions [divisions, KJV]…contrary to the teaching which [they] learned” – the teaching of Christ by which they were to have unity (John 17:20-21). This division is not necessary division (1 Corinthians 11:19), but is unnecessary and condemned (1 Corinthians 1:10). One who would cause such division is to be rejected. Paul wrote elsewhere, “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning” (Titus 3:10). The reason why such a person must be marked is because he will “deceive” those who are “unsuspecting” (Romans 16:18).
• One has sinned publicly and refuses to repent – “It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. […] In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). The fact that this situation was “reported” means that the sin was publicly known. Paul instructed these brethren that they were “not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Those who are “within the church” and refuse to repent of a public sin like this must be removed (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).
• One has sinned against another and refuses to repent – “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17). At first, the sin in this situation is private. Therefore, it must be handled privately at the beginning. However, the offending brother is not always willing to make correction when confronted about his wrong. So if the private meeting is unsuccessful, others would then be made aware of it – one or two others at first, then the church as a whole. Once the church is aware of the sin, admonishes the brother in sin, and that brother refuses to repent, then the action of marking and avoiding is to take place.
• One refuses to follow apostolic teaching – “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). So far, the reasons we have noticed as to why one might be marked had to do with what he did. This is about what one might fail to do – walking according to the traditions handed down by the apostles. Furthermore, this is more than just struggling with some sin; this is about a willful rejection of what is right (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11). The instructions from the apostles were given “by the authority of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:2). Christians are expected to “observe all that [the Lord] commanded” (Matthew 28:20) and “hold fast the pattern” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV) found in the New Testament. Those who “walk in darkness [and] do not practice the truth” do not “have fellowship” with God (1 John 1:6). If we want to continue to enjoy fellowship with God, we cannot continue to have fellowship with these individuals (Ephesians 5:11).
• One is a false teacher – “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). The Greek word translated “goes too far” means “to go further than is right or proper” (Thayer). In other words, this individual is not remaining within the confines of Scripture. He is not speaking “as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11, KJV) and has failed to “retain the standard of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). John said that we are not to “receive him” or “[give] him a greeting” (2 John 10). When we do this, we are becoming a “partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 11, KJV) by supporting his error.

Purpose for Doing This

Because of the desire for unity, many Christians may be hesitant – or refuse altogether – to “mark” and “avoid” others. While we should never be eager to do this, it is sometimes necessary. This is not done to be mean toward the one being marked. The Scriptures are clear that this action serves a good purpose.

• To keep the church pure – “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The Lord wants the church to be spotless (Ephesians 5:27). If sin is tolerated, it will act like “leaven” and spread throughout the church. Paul warned, “Do not be deceived, ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
• To warn others – “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning” (1 Timothy 5:20). The influence of the one in sin can spread, especially if the issue is not addressed. Paul warned that those who would be deceived would be those who are “unsuspecting” (Romans 16:18). Therefore, warnings are appropriate, just as Paul warned Timothy about several individuals in his letters to him (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 4:14-15).
• To save the one in sin – “I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Some do not “mark” and “avoid” because they believe it is too “harsh” or “mean.” Yet the motive is not to harm the one being marked, it is to help save him. Therefore, this is really an act of love (2 Corinthians 2:8). James wrote, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). The purpose of this action is to get the one who was marked to repent and be right with the Lord so that he might not lose his soul.

Responsibility Toward the One Who Was Marked

When someone is marked in the way we have discussed, what is our responsibility toward that person? This is important to remember because marking someone does not mean we forever put that person out of our minds. There are certain things we must do.

• Pray for him – It is good to pray for one’s repentance. When Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him, He said, “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Obviously, Jesus was able to know the future in a way that we cannot; but we see that a prayer can be offered for one’s repentance. In the same way, Paul prayed for his fellow-countrymen that they might turn to God and be saved (Romans 10:1-3). When we pray, we are to “let [our] requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). This repentance must certainly be our desire.
• Admonish him – The sin that necessitated the “marking” would have already been brought to the erring one’s attention by this point (cf. Matthew 18:15-17). Though repentance was refused, we must still try to admonish when possible and appropriate. Paul wrote, “Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
• Keep no company with him – “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame” (2 Thessalonians 3:14). While we may look at this command as simply being a prohibition for us, keeping no company with the one marked is also to try to help him. We are not to cut off all contact; after all, we still must try to “admonish him” (2 Thessalonians 3:15). But normal social interaction is not to continue (1 Corinthians 5:11) because now the relationship is different. This is done “so that he will be put to shame” (2 Thessalonians 3:14) in the hopes that the sorrow produced by this will motivate him to repent (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Conclusion

It is “good and…pleasant…for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). It is never pleasant to have to “mark” and “avoid” certain individuals (Romans 16:17). Yet as we have noticed, it is sometimes necessary.

Let us always seek the good of others, even when it requires “tough love.” And let us always remain faithful to the Lord and encourage others to do the same.

There can be no doubt that Christians are commanded to “mark and avoid” certain members of the church. However, general speaking the churches have chosen to ignore this command and they will pay a price for their sin of omission not only at the final judgment, but in this life as well. We reap what we sow. It is somewhat like the mechanic on T.V. who holds the oil filter in his hand and says, “pay me now or pay me later.” You can pay “$3.00 for a filter now or $1,200 for a new motor later.” It is not pleasant for Christians to “mark and avoid” at the moment; so we have a tendency to ignore the divine instruction. We trade immediate relief for future disaster. But the Bible commands us to “mark” both the bad and the good. With the previous comments in mind, please study with me the following passages.

“Mark” The Evil Ones

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17-18).

The word “mark” translates the Greek word "skope". It means “to look at, behold, watch, contemplate.” It is used metaphorically of “looking to.” In Romans 16:17 it is used of a warning against those who cause divisions, and in Philippians 3:17 of observing those who walk faithfully in order that Christians might have an example after which to pattern their conduct. In Luke 11:35 "skopeo" is rendered into the English “take heed.”

The word “avoid” is translated from the Greek word "ekklino". It means, “to turn away from, to turn aside, turning away from those who cause offences and occasions of stumbling according to the doctrine, turning away from division makers and errorists.” We are to stay away from them and out of their way so that we will not fall in with them in their evil work. We are to have nothing to do with them, except that we rebuke them and refute any errors they may teach. If this divine admonition does not mean we are to completely avoid them, what words would inspiration employ to say as much? The reason is obvious. If the contentious, factuous, and /or false teacher is left to himself he will soon have nobody with which to "fuss".

The church had not existed very long before false teachers reared their ugly heads in it. (Acts 15:1) “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, {and said}, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Paul called them “false brethren.” (Galatians 2:4) “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” In fact, the books of Galatians and 2 Corinthians were written in part to counteract their cancerous doctrine. They were working for their own sensual ends, they served their own belly. In their own mis-guided zeal they would come to Rome and anywhere else they could to spread their error among the churches. This they would do through their smooth and fair speech, the desire of which was to easily beguile the hearts of the innocent. Therefore, Paul ordered the church to oppose them boldly and without hesitation, using strong and sharp works in opposition to their nefarious error so that the church would know the false teachers for what they were and recognize that the doctrine they taught was evil.

The first passages we considered in this study primarily concerned “false teachers.” But, one can “walk disorderly” without teaching a false doctrine. That being the case, what should be done with those who otherwise “walk disorderly”? Paul wrote, “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11) Verse (14) gives the answer: “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” “Dissorderly” translates the Greek word "ataktos". It is a military term meaning, “not keeping rank, insubordinate.” Such church members (soldiers in the army of the Lord) are “out of step” with the doctrine of Christ, the “captain of their salvation” (Heb 2:10). They must be brought to repentance or avoided by faithful brethren. Those brethren who refuse to “have no company with him” commit sin in so doing. Thus, by their unauthorized actions they too are out of step with the will of heaven (Col 3:17) and are in need of corrective church discipline.
Regardless of whether a church member is a false teacher, or a church member who walks disorderly in some other way, or one who has chosen to sever fellowship from faithful brethren, the action should be the same. We must “note” them, “mark and avoid” them. “Marking” starts with the public declaration of their sin. “Avoiding” is how we react toward them in the days that follow. Both of these take great faith in and love of God so we will have the courage to act in such matters (1 Cor 5:9-11).

"Mark" The Good Ones

In Philippians 3:17 Paul writes, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” In this passage “mark” means to fix the attention on and is used teach the brethren to in order to imitate Paul in his conduct. In Romans 16:17 “mark” is used in order to “avoid.” But here Paul says, “brethren be followers together of me.” In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he adds, “as I also am of Christ.” Christians are to pick out men and women in the church who are worthy of imitation and make “note” of them. We are to “mark” those good examples for our encouragement. It is regrettable, but some brethren focus on the “failures” of some brethren rather than the faithful conduct of Godly brethren. It is as if they choose to focus on Judas Iscariot rather than on the apostle Paul in their own service to Jesus. Let us remember the advice of the Psalmist. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psa 37:37).

What keeps us from obeying the Lord’s commands to “mark” good men among the saints to be our examples among men to follow? The answer is found in that all too often our values are misplaced. What keeps us from obeying the Lord’s command to “mark and avoid” wicked brethren? Sometime, relatives are involved, brotherhood projects—where the money comes from to fund such endeavors, fear of losing jobs—this is especially true of preachers. On occasions, close friends are involved or it is a combination of all the aforementioned. But, when all our excuses are given, God’s instructions remain the same. We need the attitude of Peter and the rest of the apostles who said, “We ought to obey God rather than men,” (Acts 5:29). Can anyone begin to imagine what and who all Noah and his family had to avoid in order to be and remain faithful to God (Gen 6:9; Heb. 11:4:7; Rom 15:4)?

If any church ever had a reputation properly deserved for teaching the importance of obeying God’s commandments it has been and is the church of Christ, as that term is defined and used in the New Testament. But it is one thing for the church to teach the importance of obeying God’s Will and quite another for her to do it, and that consistently, steadfastly, and without respect of persons. To the church’s shame, generally speaking, she has failed consistently and with regularity to obey God’s commandments pertaining to the withdrawal of fellowship from erring brethren who are determined to continue in sin, refusing to repent of the same. Moreover, we have watched once faithful brethren (as far as we knew) “mark and avoid” faithful church members while they zealously exhorted the church to remain in fellowship with those brethren who espouse false doctrines—brethren who continue to refuse to repent of their sins. And, this is after the false teacher was approached on many occasions in an effort to obtain his repentance, but thus farto no avail.

n Philippians 3:2 “Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them.” God wants us to shun the evil activities of the ungodly just as much as He wants us to avoid every appearance of evil among Christians. The Holy Spirit teaches us that those who perpetrate backbiting, disobedience, rebellion and false doctrine among the brethren should be identified and avoided.

It is well known to us that there are certain people in the church who disseminate teachings different from the Gospel of Christ. For example some say ‘when you are saved, you are forever saved, your past, present and future sins are forgiven, so you can live any how and still make Heaven. That is a lie from the pit of hell, therefore avoid such deceptive teachings and preachers. Jude 3 says we should “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” We are custodians of the Gospel, and therefore should not allow false teachings pervert the mind of believers, therefore we should stay away from men who propagate false teachings, and keep those under our care far from them. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 says “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” The Heavenly order is holy and pure, the apostles followed this Divine order strictly to the end, so they could boldly declare that others should follow them. People saw Jesus through them. Many have found themselves in serious trouble for fraternizing with the wrong people. No wonder Apostle Paul said we should look out for and avoid the so-called “brethren” who cause division in the Church. In Mark 3:25, the Lord said a house that is divided against itself cannot stand. It is an open secret that the devil is so interested in the division of the church, either between two or more members or denominations of the body of Christ. And to see people who are part of the church aiding him is disheartening. Apostle Paul referred to the Corinthian church as babes because of the division, strife and envying that existed among them(1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

Beloved, don’t be deceived, no matter how wise or careful you are, continued association with anyone living contrary to the Word of God will eventually spell doom for you. Come out from among them, separate yourself and stay away from anyone who enjoys causing division that can corrupt your godly nature. Mark and avoid those who live contrary to the truth of the Gospel, the truth that you’ve been taught. Stop the spread of strife within the body of Christ. In serving God, you must do everything decently and in order. Today, learn how to do what is right, what is just and in accordance with godliness. Once again, beware of deceivers and avoid them!

O Lord, grant me grace to live by Your principles in this world and help me with wisdom to prayerfully avoid those who teach false doctrines in Jesus’ Name.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). 

The object of the apostle's admonition in Romans 16:17 pertained specifically to Judaizing Christians who as Lenski notes were false teachers because they "mixed the law with the gospel." MacKnight, Whiteside and Barnes respectively observe:  

The apostle had in his eye the Jewish teachers, who in many churches set up separate assemblies for the worship of God . . . on the pretense of greater orthodoxy and sanctity than others, and who would admit none into their communion but such as joined them in their peculiarities, and who represented all others as erroneous and impious. 

Judaizing teachers were the main trouble-makers in the territory of Paul's labors; they were determined to convince all Gentile Christians that they had to be circumcised and keep the law, or they could not be saved. 

. . . he refers here to Jewish teachers, or those who insisted strenuously on the observance of the rites of Moses, and who set up a claim for greater purity and orthodoxy than those possessed who received the Gentile converts as Christian brethren. The Jews were perpetually thus recalling the Christian converts to the law of Moses; insisting on the observance of those rites; troubling the churches, and producing dissensions and strifes. 

In the Romans 16:17 context, the divisions and offenses addressed for which marking and avoiding were to occur resulted directly from false teaching (e.g., taught by Judaizing teachers; doctrine that was contrary to what Paul by inspiration had already taught). First, Romans 16:17 applies to the Jewish false teachers of Paul's day. However, as Lenski correctly remarks: 

Paul's injunction is not to keep away only from total rejecters of the gospel--what Christians ever needed such a warning? His injunction is to keep away from believers who are errorists and teach falsely. Not only the exact duplicates of the errorists of Paul's day are to be shunned, as though no new ones could arise, as though new ones do not divide, tear, and set traps, as though all errorists new and old, great and small, are not related, all in the same class . . . 

By implication, furthermore, Romans 16:17 applies to all false teachers (e.g., those whose false teaching causes divisions and offenses). Grubbs, Lipscomb and MacKnight acknowledge in their respective commentaries that false teaching was the occasion for divisions and offenses, and the subsequent marking and avoiding. 

The divisions that are caused by that which is "contrary to the doctrine" which they learned. There is a division between truth and error. 

No greater evil, according to the Scriptures, could befall the churches than the divisions arising from the introduction of teachings and practices not required by God. 

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who set up separate assemblies for worship, and who occasion the weak to fall by false doctrine, or by enjoining things indifferent as necessary, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned from me in this epistle, and avoid them. 

Clarke associates Romans 16:17 with the preceding verse: "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you," and says: ". . . let them have no kiss of charity nor peace, because they strive to make divisions, and thus set the flock of Christ at variance among themselves . . ." 

Romans 16:17 declares that faithful Christians have a responsibility regarding false teachers (cf., 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:1ff; 1 Timothy 4:1ff). Brother Lard, quoted in the McGarvey/Pendleton commentary, addresses the necessity of a response to false teachers: 

Where we, by our own errors of teaching or conduct, produce divisions among the children of God, we sin against Christ. Nor is it a less offense to countenance or defend divisions, than it is to cause them. They must be utterly disfavored by the Christian. He is not at liberty even to feel indifferent toward them. He must actively oppose them where they exist, and actively endeavor to prevent them where they do not exist. 

It is plausible, Whiteside observes, that a false teacher may even propagate his false doctrine sincerely (cf., Matthew 7:21-23). "The man who causes divisions in the Lord's church by the introduction of things not taught is an enemy of Christ, even though he may not think so." However, genuine ignorance mitigates neither the obligations impressed upon the church by Romans 16:17 nor final, divine judgment. 

The first imperative of Romans 16:17 is to "mark" false teachers. The Greek word for "mark" (skopeo), though, is not used in the New Testament exclusively in a negative connotation. Vine records: 

to look at, behold, watch, contemplate, (akin to skopos, a mark . . .), is used metaphorically of looking to, and translated "mark" in Romans 16:17, of a warning against those who cause divisions, and in Philippians 3:17, of observing those who walked after the example of the Apostle and his fellow-workers, so as to follow their ways. 

MacKnight adds: "mark . . . signifies to observe attentively and diligently, as they do who are placed in a watch-tower to observe the motions of their enemies." Whiteside writes: "'mark them'--eye them closely. Do not shut your eyes to what they are doing, nor make excuses for them . . ." Barnes observes: "Ascertain who are the real causes of the divisions that spring up . . ." 

Zondervan's Analytical Greek Lexicon and Thayer respectively record for the word "mark": 

sokopos a watcher; also, a distant object on which the eye is kept fixed; a mark, goal, Phi. 3:14 . . . sokopeo to view attentively, watch . . . to see, observe, take care, beware, Lu. 11:35; Gal. 6:1; to regard, have respect to, 2 Co. 4:18; Phi. 2:4, to mark, note, Ro. 16:17; Phi. 3:17. 

sokopeo to look at, observe, contemplate. to mark . . . to fix one's eyes upon, direct one's attention to . . . Ro. 16:17; Phil. 3:17. 

"Divisions" is the first stated result of the false teaching addressed by the apostle in Romans 16:17. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament says of this word: "Divisions: (dichostasias) Old word for 'standings apart,' cleavages. In N.T. only here and Gal. 5:20." Barnes pens: 

DIVISIONS: Dissensions; parties; factions, 1 Cor. 3:3; Gal. 5:20. The very attempt to form such parties was evil, no matter what the pretence. They who attempt to form parties in the churches are commonly actuated by some evil or ambitious design. 

According to Romans 16:17, the second stated result of false teaching was "offenses." Clarke and Barnes both observe that the Greek word "skandala" translated here "offenses" is also the source of our English word "scandals." Further, Barnes said of offenses: ". . . that give occasion for others to fall into sin. . . . denotes such a course of life as would lead others into sin." Interestingly, Lenski renders "offenses" as: 

skandala "deathtraps"; see the word in 9:33 and 11:9, and note that it always designates what is fatal. . . . These errorists tear believers out of the unity of the church, and their teachings often act like deathtraps in which souls are fatally caught. 

The second imperative of Romans 16:17 is to "avoid" false teachers. The Greek word for "avoid" (ekklino) is also variously applied, as Vine indicates: 

to turn away from, to turn aside, lit. to bend out of (ek, out, klino, to bend), is used in Romans 3:12, of the sinful condition of mankind, A.V., "gone out of the way," R.V., "turned aside;" in Romans 16:17, of turning away from those who cause offences and occasions of stumbling (A.V., "avoid"); in I Peter 3:11 of turning away from evil (A.V., "eschew"). 

Grubbs understands the word "avoid" refers to false teaching and not to encourage false teachers in the same (cf., 2 John 9-11). 

How "mark them" and "turn away from them"? We must note those who are such as to cause divisions contrary to the doctrine and must have no "fellowship with their works of darkness." We cannot associate with them in such a way as to endorse their evil practices. 

Lipscomb adds: 

". . . avoid them by refusing to recognize and associate with them as brethren. This requirement is imperative and necessary to preserve the harmony and unity of the churches of Christ." 

Clarke puts it this way: ". . . have no religious fellowship with them." Whiteside says: "This means that the brethren should have no fellowship with them." Barnes remarks: 

Do not follow them; comp. 1 Tim. 6:3, 4, 5; 2 John 10; Gal. 1:8, 9. That is, avoid them as teachers; do not follow them. It does not mean that they were to be treated harshly; but that they were to be avoided in their instructions. 

Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament adds: "Better, as Rev. turn aside . . . keep out of their way . . ." Zondervan's Analytical Greek Lexicon simply notes: "ekklino to deflect, deviate, Ro. 3:12; to decline or turn away from, avoid, Ro. 16:17; 1 Pet 3:11." Likewise, MacKnight writes: 

It is worthy of notice, that the apostle desires the faithful to mark them who cause divisions, not for the purpose of disputing with them . . . but that they might avoid their company, lest by conversing familiarly with such, they might have been infected with their errors and vices. 

It is, however, difficult to separate false teachers from the false teaching that they promote. While like God, brethren should desire that sinners repent lest they be eternally lost (2 Peter 3:9), there comes a time beyond which efforts to reclaim false teachers must reluctantly cease in order to assure the protection of the body of Christ. In this regard, Charles A. Pledge states in an article entitled "Countermanding God's Orders" (Seek The Old Paths, Vol. 3, No. 11/12): 

There might be a brief period of exchange before one is discovered to be dishonest. A brief period of giving them the benefit of the doubt might be appropriate. But when it is established that their doctrine is false (contradictory to Scripture), and when they refuse to correct their self-contradictions, then action is called for; the action God commands. Mark them and avoid them. Again, we emphasize that this is the action against a dishonest teacher; one who rejects evidence to the contrary. 

Accordingly, Thayer does include the word "shun" as one of the renderings for our word "avoid." 

ekklino Ro. 16:17 . . . turn aside, deviate (from the right way and course, Mal. 2:8 . . . to turn (one's self) away . . . either from the path or rectitude, Ro. 3:12 . . . or from evil . . . to turn away from, keep aloof from, one's society; to shun one: Ro. 16:17. 

In the same vein, Lenski notes: 

. . . definitely, decisively, once for all, incline away from them"--"from them," not merely from their teaching, "from them" because of their teaching. "Avoid them" (A.V.) is the sense: have nothing to do with them. "Turn away from them" (R.V.) with finality. . . . the very nature of false doctrine divides. 

Faithful brethren have responsibilities toward those of "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1) as well as toward brethren overtaken in sin (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). Therefore, it is responsible and loving conduct to protect the Lord's church from error (1 Corinthians 5:6ff) and rebuff sinners in order to reclaim them (Ephesians 5:11). Garland M. Robinson observes in an article entitled "Is It Sowing Discord To Expose Error?" (Seek the Old Paths, Vol. 3, No. 7/8 and reprinted in Unity in Truth, Vol. 6, No. 12): 

The most loving thing we can do for others is to help them not to fall into error by warning them of it or, if they have embraced it already, to help them see the error of their way. To do otherwise shows that one has no love at all for the truth or the souls of men. 

Finally, Romans 16:17 is comparable to other passages that call for a withdrawal of fellowship from ungodly or disorderly brethren (1 Corinthians 5:6-13; Ephesians. 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15) and false teachers (1 Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 3:9-11; 2 John 9-11). Romans 16:17 does not present a unique doctrine, but a principle that is abundantly taught throughout the New Testament. It is true that the Bible is its own best commentary (interpreter), and an analysis of each similar passage on any subject will contribute to a correct understanding of God's Word.