Romans 140

Simple Concerning Evil

September 27, 2003

Brian Kocourek

This evening I would like to examine the second half of Romans 16:19 ¶ but yet I would have you wise unto all which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Now, what does the Apostle Paul mean by saying I would that you would be simple concerning evil.

In order to understand what he is saying here we must know what two words mean, Simple and evil.

The word simple was translated from the Greek word akeraios pronounced {ak-er'-ah-yos} which is made up of two words. The first is the prefix “a” which means “not” and the other word is kerannumi {ker-an'-noo-mee} which means to mix or mingle, or to mix two thins to make a new substance. We also call that hybridizing.

Therefore, Paul is not saying that I want you to be simpleminded concerning evil, nor is he saying, I want you to be single focused concerning evil. But what he is saying, is that I want you to be pure and unmixed concerning evil.

HEBREWS 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Notice that we are to know what evil is and be able to discern the difference between that which is good and that which is evil.

Therefore when he says we are to be simple concerning evil he is not saying simpleminded, as though we have no clue what evil is. He is saying that we should not mingle good with evil. We should not create a hybrid condition where we claim to be Christ centered while living a life that is contrary to Christ. And how do we know the difference? Christ is the Word. Therefore that which is contrary to the Word is contrary to Christ. It is just that simple. He said if you love me you will obey my commandments.

Now, the other word we want to examine here is the word evil that is translated from a Greek word, kakos pronounced as easily as it looks, {kak-os'}. Which means bad nature 2) of a mode of thinking, feeling, acting; base, wrong, wicked 3) troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful., which means destruction or ruin.

This word is translated mostly as the word wicked or evil, and is sometimes translated as ill or bad. Even our Savior, Jesus Christ Himself, used this word much in the parables to describe those people who will be judged much for their treatment of others and the way they have destructively treated them.

I PETER 3:8 ¶ Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

The reason we should know and understand what evil is, is because we must also know and understand the judgments that are coming upon all who are evil.

ROMANS 1:19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

ROMANS 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

II CORINTHIANS 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

Your life is not your own. You will have to give account to God one day for what you have done with that Body He has given you, with that mind he has given you, with that spirit he has given you, and with the soul he has given you. No one will escape the judgment of God. The Scripture says we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ. And you either judge yourself now by the Word of God or one day you will be judged by that same Word. The problem is that then it will be too late. Now is the time of Mercy. Now is our salvation. If you judge yourself by the Word now, and come into conformity with it, you will bypass the great judgment to come.

Like the ads always say, pay now or pay later. But if you pay later it is always a lot more than if you pay now, and that is the message of salvation. Come into Christ the Word now and judge yourself now by the Word that you might avoid the judgment to come.

This evening I will not deal so much with the parable itself as we will be examining all the parables in the next coming months, but for now, I just want to show you that in the parables we find Jesus making example of those people who act evil towards others, and how they are destined for great judgment. In these parables we see what Jesus constitutes the evil action of these people.

MATTHEW 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Notice what made this kind of person evil is not the fact that they were delinquent in knowing the day or hour of the Lord’s return, but rather the way in which they treated others around them, and those they had power to do good to, they did damage.

Again we read another parable of Jesus in MARK 7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (Now, if you have received a new heart, a new spirit and God’s spirit this does not refer to that new heart you receive. But it does refer to all unregenerate men. Remember, Martin Luther said the devil will fly over your head like a bird to a tree, and sometimes will light down upon your mind, but just don’t let him make a nest. Don’t let that evil thought make a home in your new heart, which is your new mind.) 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

JAMES 1:13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. You see, God is not the author of evil. He is the author of light and goodness and all that is righteous. He is the King of righteousness. So don’t blame those evil thoughts on Him. You must know where they come, and then what to do with them. The Bible tells us “Resist the devil and he will flee”.

In fact when we are evil entreated by others we shold never try to get even. For you certainly shall sow what you reap. I THESSALONIANS 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].

ROMANS 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

ROMANS 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.

I CORINTHIANS 13:4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

I CORINTHIANS 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Now this word communication actually comes from a Greek word which means in the company of… In other words, if you go to bed with the dogs you will wake up with fleas and ticks. If you slop around with hogs you better expect to get dirty. How can two walk together unless they be agreed. Therefore if you hang around with the wrong crowd, you will end up defiled along with them. That is what that scripture is telling us here.

PHILIPPIANS 3:1 ¶ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed [is] not grievous, but for you [it is] safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

In fact we are told by God Himself that we learn to discern by discussing the Word. And in fact Paul told us in HEBREWS 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses (that means the faculties of their mind) exercised to discern both good and evil.

MALACHI 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Let’s bow our heads in prayer.