QUESTION:
Is marking in Romans 16: 17 considered 
withdrawing fellowship?  

ANSWER:
 : "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and 
occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and turn away 
from them." The word "mark is from (skopos) which means to "take heed, mark, 
consider, look at." A.T. Robertson says it means "keep the eye on so as to avoid." 
Nicoll says they are to keep their eyes on them as "a peril to be avoided." Lenski 
translates it "look out for." Arndt and Gingrich say "look (out) for, notice, keep 
one's eyes on." Thayer adds "to look at, observe, contemplate ... direct ones 
attention to ..." Hence, Paul writes the church to "look out" for those who were 
stirring up trouble and causing divisions among them. His reference is no doubt 
directed at the Judaizing teachers who were the main troublemakers of that time, but 
was not limited to them. Anyone, then or now, who creates trouble "contrary to the 
doctrine which ye have learned" is to be so marked and avoided. They are to be eyed 
closely. "Do not shut your eyes to what they are doing, nor make excuses for them." 
(Whiteside) By avoiding them they would have no fellowship with them. If brethren 
and churches today followed Paul's instructions, they would save themselves much 
heartache and grief.