Note 2 at Rom. 16:18: In this verse, Paul gives us some characteristics of the people he said to mark in the previous verse. These people are not truly serving the Lord Jesus Christ but they are serving themselves. That's what this terminology "their own belly" means.

This same description is used in the parallel account of Paul on this same subject in Philippians 3:19 (see Parallel Scriptures, this page). There Paul says that their God is their belly. This is saying that their motive is not the selfless motive of love for God and others, but rather they are motivated by a love for themselves. This is always at the root of all division (see note note 6 at Mk. 15:10, p. 524; see note 4 at Lk. 10:20, p. 310). Philippians 3:19 gives the further explanation that these people glory in their shame and mind earthly things.

Paul says in this verse, that these individuals use good words and fair speeches and deceive the hearts of the simple. This means that they flatter people (2 Tim. 4:3) and appeal to the same selfish desires as they themselves have to draw people after themselves (Acts 20:30).

Note 3 at Rom. 16:18: Paul says that the simple are the ones who are deceived by these sowers of strife. If we will quit being simple, we won't be deceived.

What did Paul mean by "simple"? The Greek word that was translated "simple" in this verse is "akakos." It was only used twice in the New Testament; here in Romans 16:18 and in Hebrew 7:26. In Hebrew 7:26, it was translated "harmless" meaning "without guile or fraud; harmless; free from guilt" (Thayer's).

In this verse, the meaning of this word is "fearing no evil from others, distrusting no one" (Thayer's). This is describing those who we today would call "gullible" (Prov. 14:15). Only those who lack discernment between good and evil will fall prey to this deceit.

How do we quit being simple or gullible? It's through God's Word. Many scriptures promise that God's Word will cause the simple to start being wise (Ps. 19:7; 119:130; Prov. 1:4). A good understanding of God's Word is the greatest defense against deception (Jn. 8:32; 17:17).

The English word "simple" is only used twice in the New Testament; here and in the next verse, Romans 16:19 (see note 4 at v. 19, p. 852).