mid offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. While he urges them to the kind reception of all faithful minis- ters and Christians, he enjoins upon them to have nothing to do with those who cause divisions and offences. There were probably two evils in the apostle's mind when he wrote this passage ; the divisions occa- sioned by erroneous doctrines, and the offences or scandals occasioned by the evil conduct of the false teachers. Almost all the forms of error which distracted the early church, were intimately connected with prac- tical evils of a moral character. This was the case, to a certain extent, with the Judaizers ; who not only disturbed the church by insisting on the observance of the Mosaic law, but also pressed some of their doc- trines to an immoral extreme. See 1 Cor. 5 : 1 — 5. It was still more obviously the case with those errorists, infected with a false philosophy, who are described in Col. 2 : 10—23. 1 Tim. 4 : 1—8. These evils were equally opposed to the doctrines taught by the apostle. Those who caused these dissensions Paul commands Christians, first, to mark, i. e. to notice carefully, and not allow them to pursue their corrupting course unheeded ; and, secondly, to avoid, i. e. to break off connexion with them.
(19) 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. These men are to be avoided, because they are wicked and injurious. The description here given is applicable, in a greater degree, to errorists in all ages. They are not actuated by zeal for the Lord Jesus ; they are selfish, if not sensual ; and they are plausible and de- ceitful. Compare Phil. 3 : 18, 19. 2 Tim. 3 : 5, 6. The words rendered good words and fair speeches do not in this connexion materially differ. They express that plausible and flattering address by which false teach- ers are wont to secure an influence over the simple. The w or A simple signifies not merely innocent, but unwary, he who is liable to deception. (Prov. 14 : 15, the simple believe every thing.)
(20) For your obedience is come abroad unto all men, &c. This clause admits of two interpretations ; the word obedience may express either their obedience to the gospel, their faith (see ch. 1 : 8), or their obe- dient disposition, their readiness to follow the instructions of their reli- gious teachers. If the former meaning be adopted, the sense of the passage is this, ' Ye ought to be on your guard against these false teach- ers, for, since your character is so high, your faith being every where spoken of, it would be a great disgrace and evil to be led astray by them.' If the latter meaning be taken, the sense is, ' It is the more necessary that you should be on your guard against these false teachers, because your ready obedience to your divine teachers is so great and generally known. This, in itself, is commendable, but I would that you joined prudence with your docilit5\' This latter view is, on account of the con- cluding part of the verse, most probably the correct one; see 2 Cor. 10: 6. Phil. v. 21.