Introduction

Interrupting a series of greetings Paul inserts a final admonition to Christians in Rome. Verse 17 is a sharp warning formulated in two sentences: (1) to be wary of those who are distorting the transmitted teaching and (2) to keep away from them. In v. 18 Paul supports this warning (γάρ). He first urges a sharp contrast: οὐ …ἀλλά; i.e. either Christ or the belly. Serving both of them is not possible. The keyword of the first sentence of v. 18 is δουλɛύɛιν, and ἐξαπατᾶν in the next. Verse 19 expresses Paul's confidence in the Roman Christians, and he adds a final promise (v. 20): God will crush Satan under their feet.

Paul works with contrasts here: Christ versus the belly, good versus bad, God versus Satan. These are contrasts that really matter to the Roman Christians, but some are blurring them in a deceitful way. They do so by softening the distinctions and smoothing them out, they speak a flattering message: they are belly-servants and deceivers. The aim of our exegesis is to trace what Paul means by ‘serving the belly’ in this particular text, and also how this element works within his final admonition in this letter. We will also ask if Rom. 16:18 can in any way be seen in the light of how Paul views the human body in this epistle.

Warning against deceivers

In Rom. 16:17, Paul exhorts his readers to be on their guard against people who cause dissension and speak against the received teaching of the Roman church.