Note 4 at Rom. 16:19: This is the second and last time that the English word "simple" was used in the New Testament. The first time was in the previous verse. However, this one English word came from two different Greek words. The Greek word that was used in verse 18 was "akakos" (see note 3 at v. 18, p. 851) while the Greek word that was used in this verse is "akeraios" meaning "(1) unmixed; pure as in wines or metals; (2) without a mixture of evil; free from guile; innocent; simple" (Thayer's).

Therefore, when Paul presented being simple in verse 18 as something that is not good, and simple in verse 19 as something that is good, he was speaking of two different things. Verse 18 is speaking against being gullible, while verse 19 is speaking in favor of being pure, focused only on things that are good (see note 5 at this verse, below).

Note 5 at Rom. 16:19: This is a wonderful key that the Lord is giving us for living the Christian life and yet very few people use it. It goes contrary to modern thinking that all knowledge is good, even the knowledge of evil.

Satan used Eve's desire to know about evil to entice her to sin (Gen. 3:5-6). All she knew was good, but Satan convinced her she would be better off if she knew about evil. That definitely was not the case.

God never intended us to know about evil. That's the reason He forbade Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You cannot be tempted with things that you don't think about (see note 7 at Rom. 12:2, p. 825; see notes 10-12 at Rom. 8:4, p. 794; see note 9 at Rom. 12:2, p. 826). Therefore, don't think about evil things and you will not be tempted with them.

Of course, since the fall of man, evil is in the world and there needs to be some knowledge about evil so we can avoid its pitfalls. Paul said, "we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11). Notice that Paul said we should be "simple," not "ignorant." But most people are indulging in a knowledge of evil that is far beyond what Paul was advocating.

Paul also said, "For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret" (Eph. 5:12). Yet many Christians feel it is necessary and beneficial to plum the depths of the moral debauchery in our world today. That is not so.

We don't have to know all about Satanism and what his followers are doing to avoid that pitfall and help those who have already fallen in it. A person who is seeking God with his whole heart and thinking on all the good He has to offer, will never fall prey to Satanism. That individual will also have the wisdom of God to deliver anyone who has become possessed by that spirit. The best defense is a good offense.

Bank tellers don't become astute at recognizing counterfeit money by studying counterfeit bills. It would be impossible to school them on all the possible variations they could encounter. Instead, they become so familiar with the genuine that they recognize a fake.

Likewise, Christians should be wise concerning that which is good and simple (or unmixed, separated from-see note 4 at this verse) concerning evil. Undue attention to what Satan is doing will actually give the enemy inroads into our lives.