Romans 16 20

Romans 16:20 kjv

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Romans 16:20 nkjv

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Romans 16:20 niv

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Romans 16:20 esv

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 16:20 nlt

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 20 Meaning

Romans 16:20 provides a powerful assurance and a benediction. It promises that the God who is the source of all peace will swiftly and decisively overcome Satan, the ultimate instigator of division and conflict. This ultimate victory is presented as one in which believers will participate, symbolized by Satan being crushed under their feet. The verse concludes with a standard Pauline benediction, invoking the sustaining grace of Jesus Christ upon the believers, enabling them to persevere until that triumph.

Romans 16 20 Context

Romans 16:20 comes at the close of Paul's profound letter, specifically following an extensive section of personal greetings (16:1-16) and a stern warning against those who cause division and offense contrary to sound doctrine (16:17-19). This promise acts as a sharp theological counterpoint to the threat of deceptive and divisive individuals, implicitly identifying such agents with the ultimate enemy, Satan. It assures the Roman believers that despite these internal threats, the "God of peace" will definitively overcome the source of all discord. The benediction of grace then functions as a final prayer for God's sustaining favor on them as they navigate their calling in a challenging world. Historically, the early church, including that in Rome, was constantly susceptible to internal strife from false teachings and external pressures, making this assurance both timely and comforting.

Romans 16 20 Word analysis

• Ὁ δὲ (Ho de): "But/And." This particle indicates a transition or a slight contrast, shifting from the specific warning about divisive persons in the preceding verses (16:17-19) to God's ultimate action against the root cause of such division.
• θεὸς (theos): "God." Refers to the sovereign, omnipotent God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Father of Jesus Christ.
• τῆς εἰρήνης (tēs eirēnēs): "of peace." Denotes not just that God gives peace, but that peace is an intrinsic attribute of His being (Rom 15:33, Phil 4:9, 1 Thess 5:23). This stands in direct opposition to Satan, who brings strife and chaos. This peace encompasses well-being, wholeness (shalom), and cessation of hostility.
• ταχέως (tacheōs): "soon," "quickly," "swiftly." Implies certainty and decisiveness rather than a specific human timeframe. From God's perspective, this victory is imminent and will unfold rapidly in His redemptive plan. It contrasts with human impatience or long suffering.
• συντρίψει (syntripsei): "will crush," "shatter," "bruise," "break in pieces." A strong verb in the future tense, signifying a decisive, complete, and irreversible defeat. It echoes the language of Genesis 3:15, a primal prophecy of victory over the serpent.
• τὸν Σατανᾶν (ton Satanan): "Satan." The proper name for the adversary, the devil, the chief opponent of God and humanity. He is the ultimate orchestrator of evil, division, and deception, behind the schemes Paul warns against.
• ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας ὑμῶν (hypo tous podas hymōn): "under your feet." This phrase is highly symbolic, representing complete subjugation and triumphant conquest. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a conquering king would place his foot on the necks or backs of vanquished enemies (e.g., Ps 110:1, Jos 10:24). The remarkable inclusion of "your feet" (plural, referring to the believers) signifies that believers, united with Christ, will participate in and experience the ultimate triumph over Satan.
• Ἡ χάρις (Hē charis): "The grace." Refers to God's unmerited favor, benevolent goodwill, and empowering presence. It is the divine provision for spiritual life and perseverance.
• τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ (tou Kyriou Iēsou): "of the Lord Jesus." Identifies Jesus Christ as the sovereign Master and Savior, through whom God's grace is mediated.
• μεθ’ ὑμῶν (meth' hymōn): "with you." A statement of presence and communion, ensuring that Christ's grace is personally available to the believers for their strength and encouragement.

Romans 16 20 Bonus section

The assurance in Romans 16:20 serves as a crucial theological underpinning for the entire Christian life, connecting daily spiritual warfare to God's ultimate cosmic plan. While Satan's definitive defeat by Christ has already occurred (Col 2:15), the application of this victory, specifically "under your feet," indicates an ongoing, though certain, experience for believers. It’s an "already-not-yet" reality: Christ has defeated Satan, and believers are empowered to resist him now (Jas 4:7), while awaiting his final, physical subjugation at the Lord's coming. The "feet" imagery emphasizes the corporate nature of the church's triumph; it is "your" (plural) feet, meaning the community of believers sharing in Christ's authority. This phrase strongly counters the "divisive persons" Paul warned against, showing that those who cause disunity are ultimately fighting a losing battle against God's unified people, whom He will empower for triumph. The grace benediction that follows this promise also provides the essential means—divine grace—by which believers can truly participate in and endure until this promised victory.

Romans 16 20 Commentary

Romans 16:20 offers a climactic assurance after Paul's practical warnings against divisiveness. The title "God of peace" beautifully counters the discord instigated by Satan and his agents, promising divine intervention to restore shalom. The use of "soon" (ταχέως) suggests God's decisive and certain timing, implying an impending judgment from His eternal perspective. The crushing of Satan "under your feet" powerfully connects believers to Christ's victory (Gen 3:15; Heb 2:14). It signifies that God not only defeats Satan but involves His people in the triumph, granting them participation in His ultimate dominion. This does not mean believers conquer Satan in their own power, but through their union with Christ and His completed work. The concluding benediction, "The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you," is essential. It reinforces that all this victory and sustaining power come from God's undeserved favor through Christ. It's an affirmation that believers are equipped to face any immediate spiritual opposition until the ultimate, assured defeat of evil.

• Example: When facing temptation or conflict that seeks to divide, a believer can stand firm, knowing the ultimate victory belongs to Christ, and through Him, Satan's power is already broken and will be fully vanquished.
• Example: In moments of discouragement over persistent sin or external pressure, remembering that the God of peace is actively working to crush the enemy provides deep solace and renewed resolve.