I never noticed this before.
St. Paul ends his letter to the Romans with a number of profound instructions.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 16:17-20
The middles verses jumped out at me on Monday, how closely they are related to the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden.
In the Garden Satan, with smooth talk and flattery, tempted them with the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil, that they would be “wise”.
St. Paul understands that the Gospel, the teaching put forth in this epistle to the Romans, is the undoing of the fall!
I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
God be praised!
