Romans 16:17

The Text: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them

The Meaning Given To It: Brethren quote this passage as if the word "mark" meant to "brand", "stigmatize" or "publicly expose" some false teacher or brother they've withdrawn from. This meaning that is given to "mark" is a good example when we ignore context and fail to do a simple word study. Nothing in the word "mark" or the context of Rom. 16 even remotely suggests that this statement means certain ones are to be publicly exposed or "written up" in the local church bulletin.

The Context: As Paul concludes this epistle, he makes a series of personal remarks about many who meant so much to him, 16:1-6. In the midst of this, he turn his attention to those described in our text and gives instruction as to how they were to be regarded, along with a description of their character, vss. 17-20.

The Meaning: Two things need to be examined in determining the meaning of this verse. (1) The meaning of "mark". The Greek word used here is "skopeo", the verb form of "skopos". which is the word our English word "scope" comes from. It means "to look at, behold, watch, contemplate...is used metaphorically of looking to..." Vine, p. 715. Even one of Webster's definitions of "mark" is similar: "to observe; to note; to pay attention to; to take notice of; to heed...". (2) Its use in all verses where it occurs (please read all verses in context; all words from, first, NASV and, then, NIV):

Lk. 11:35 "watch" and "see"

Rom. 16:17 "keep an eye on" and "watch out"

2 Cor. 4:18 "look" and "fix your eyes"

Gal. 6:1 "looking" and "watch"

Phil. 2:4 "look" and "look"

Phil. 3:17 "observe" and "take note"

Now try putting the "stigmatize", "brand", and "expose" meaning in any of these verse and see if it makes any sense. It doesn't, and for a good reason: the word "mark" simply doesn't mean that. The meaning is simple: those who were as Paul described in the context were to be closely watched and avoided because of the kind of people they were. That there might come a time when some public mention might have to be made of specific sinners and their sin is obvious (1 Tim. 1:20) but our text does not justify such.

David Smitherman