Romans 16:18

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, etc..] They do not preach him, but themselves; they do not seek the things of Christ, his honour and glory, the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his kingdom and interest; they seek their own things, worldly honour and applause, riches, wealth, and grandeur; they seek to please men, and so are not the servants of Christ: they introduced the observance of meats and drinks in to the kingdom of Christ, which it do not consist of, and neglected the doctrines of righteousness and peace, from whence springs joy in the Holy Ghost, and so in these spiritual things did not serve Christ; and therefore, as they were not acceptable to…”

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ--"our Lord Christ" appears to be the true reading. but their own belly--not in the grosset sense, but as "living for low ends of their own" (compare Phi 3:19). and by good words and fair speeches deceive the simple--the unwary, the unsuspecting. (See Pro 14:15).”

“Serve not - Obey not. Though they are professedly, yet they are not his real friends and followers. But their own belly - Their own “lusts;” their own private interests; they do this to obtain support. The authors of parties and divisions, in church and state, have this usually in view. It is for the indulgence of some earthly appetite; to obtain function or property; or to gratify the love of dominion. And by good words - Mild, fair, plausible speeches; with an appearance of great sincerity, and regard for the truth; compare Col 2:4; 2 Peter 3:3. People who cause divisions commonly make great pretensions to peculiar love of truth and orthodoxy; and put on the appearance of great sincerity,…”

“By good words - Concerning themselves, making great promises. And fair speeches - Concerning you, praising and flattering you. The harmless - Who, doing no ill themselves, are not upon their guard against them that do. Romans 16:19”

“serve: Mat 6:24; Joh 12:26; Gal 1:10; Phi 2:21; Col 3:24; Jam 1:1; Jde 1:1; Rev 1:1 but: Sa1 2:12-17, Sa1 2:29; Isa 56:10-12; Eze 13:19; Hos 4:8-11; Mic 3:5; Mal 1:10; Mat 24:48-51; Phi 3:19; Ti1 6:5; Pe2 2:10-15; Jde 1:12 by: Ch2 18:5, Ch2 18:12-17; Isa 30:10, Isa 30:11; Jer 8:10, Jer 8:11, Jer 23:17, Jer 28:1-9, Jer 28:15-17; Eze 13:16; Mic 3:5; Mat 7:15, Mat 24:11, Mat 24:24; Co2 2:17, Co2 4:2, Co2 11:13-15; Col 2:4; Th2 2:10; Ti1 6:5; Ti2 2:16-18, Ti2 3:2-6; Tit 1:10-12; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:18-20; Jo1 4:1-3; Jde 1:16 the simple: Rom 16:19; Psa 19:7, Psa 119:130; Pro 8:5, Pro 14:15, Pro 22:3; Co2 11:3 Romans 16:19”