Paul continues his closing remarks with a warning. He has already taught us how we should treat those who are weak in faith, but now he warns us about those who cause divisions.
Paul identifies these divisive people as those who “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites” (Romans 16:18). Instead of serving the Lord Christ, they make themselves lords, seeking their own interests. This can manifest itself through manipulating people for money, bullying others to get their way, using smooth talk to deceive the naive, and teaching false doctrine. They create obstacles contrary to the teaching that produces the renewed mind. They embody a mind set on the things of the flesh rather than the things of the Spirit.
Paul tells us not to learn from them. While these people may be skilled in doing evil, we must become skilled in doing good. As Paul instructed us earlier, we are not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). We use the freedom Christ has given us to build up His people, not for our own gain or praise, but for His glory. We entrust all things to Him.
God fights the battle for us. When we encounter these self-promoting people, we should be wise to avoid them, knowing that the God of peace will crush Satan, the great enemy who works to deceive and divide God’s people.
What is amazing is that Paul does not merely state that God will crush Satan, but that He will crush him under our feet. Like a father who takes the foot of his child to crush a pest, our heavenly Father graciously includes us in His victory over Satan.
It is through His power and guidance that we act, avoiding and keeping watch against those who would pervert the wisdom given to us through the doctrine of the gospel. May the God of peace crush His enemies under our feet.
-steve