16:18a

For: This Greek word introduces an explanation for the command to “avoid them” (16:17c). Some English versions omit this word and leave the connection with 16:17 implicit.

serving: Here this word refers to doing what a leader tells someone to do. These men do not do what the Lord Jesus says to do. Instead they do what their own appetites tell them to do. Here are other ways to translate this word:

do his will
-or-
do the things that he commands us to do

See how you translated this word in 7:6.

our Lord Christ: This refers to Jesus. It emphasizes that he is the Christ, the Savior. In some languages the name Jesus must be included to make it natural. For example:

our Lord ⌊Jesus⌋ Christ

but their own appetites: The words “they serve” is implied here. Some languages must make those words explicit. For example:

instead, ⌊they serve⌋ their own appetites

appetites: Here this word refers to natural desires of the body. Paul implied that these appetites were unworthy to serve because he contrasted it to serving Christ.

The Greek is literally “stomach.” Other languages may similarly use an idiom. For example:

belly (TLV)
-or-
bodies
-or-
hearts

16:18b

smooth talk: This refers to the speech of someone who talks well and people enjoy listening to him talk. Here it implies talk that easily sways people to believe his bad ideas.

flattery: The Greek word here refers to praising someone for selfish purposes.

the hearts: Here the word hearts refers to where emotions, will, and desires occur. Some languages use a different place in the body for this. For example:

the liver
-or-
the insides

In some languages it is the mind that is deceived, rather than the heart. For example:

the minds (New International Version)
-or-
the thinking

naive: The Greek word refers to people who do not suspect that others are trying to deceive them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

unsuspecting (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
unwary (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
easily deceived

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