Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Romans 16:19 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 19. 19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse balances joy in Rome's known obedience with the desire for wisdom toward good and innocence toward evil.
Watch for manipulative division while remaining wise, innocent of evil, and nonviolent.
This verse is one part of that explanation in Romans 16:17–20. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Romans 16:17–20
Read Romans 16:19 with 16:17–20. This verse balances joy in Rome's known obedience with the desire for wisdom toward good and innocence toward evil. The complete unit establishes: Paul warns against manipulative division, commends tested obedience, and places final victory with the God of peace.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The warning protects the diverse network but must not be used to turn ordinary disagreement into enemy status. Within that movement, this verse balances joy in Rome's known obedience with the desire for wisdom toward good and innocence toward evil.
What Remains True
This verse balances joy in Rome's known obedience with the desire for wisdom toward good and innocence toward evil. This supports the unit's enduring claim: Paul warns against manipulative division, commends tested obedience, and places final victory with the God of peace.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Romans 16:17–20 — Watch for Divisive Teaching while Remaining Wise and NonviolentSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: Romans 16:17–20, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Rom.txt, 16:17–20
Open the Romans Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - Romans with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, material variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible official Romans chapter print view, 16:17–20, translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET Romans 16 notes