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The grace of our Lord Yeshua be with you.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Romans 16:17–20. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The apostle having endeavoured by his endearing salutations to unite them together, it was not improper to subjoin a caution to take heed of those whose principles and practices were destructive to Christian love. And we may observe,
I.The caution itself, which is given in the most obliging manner that could be:
I beseech you, brethren. He does not will and command, as one that lorded it over God's heritage, but for love's sake beseeches. How earnest, how endearing, are Paul's exhortations! He teaches them,
1.To see their danger: Mark those who cause divisions and offences. Our Master had himself foretold that divisions and offences would come, but had entailed a woe on those by whom they come (Mat 18:7), and against such we are here cautioned. Those who burden the church with dividing and offending impositions, who uphold and enforce those impositions, who introduce and propagate dividing and offending notions, which are erroneous or justly suspected, who out of pride, ambition, affectation of novelty, or the like, causelessly separate from their brethren, and by perverse disputes, censures, and evil surmisings, alienate the affections of Christians one from another - these cause divisions and offences, contrary to, or different from (for that also is implied, it is para tēn didachēn), the doctrine which we have learned. Whatever varies from the form of sound doctrine which we have in the scriptures opens a door to divisions and offences. If truth be once deserted, unity and peace will not last long. Now, mark those that thus cause divisions, skopein. Observe them, the method they take, the end they drive at. There is need of a piercing watchful eye to discern the danger we are in from such people; for commonly the pretences are plausible, when the projects are very pernicious. Do not look only at the divisions and offences, but run up those streams to the fountain, and mark those that cause them, and especially that in them which causes these divisions and offences, those lusts on each side whence come these wars and fightings. A danger discovered is half prevented.
2.To shun it: "Avoid them. Shun all necessary communion and communication with them, lest you be leavened and infected by them. Do not strike in with any dividing interests, nor embrace any of those principles or practices which are destructive to Christian love and charity, or to the truth which is according to godliness. - Their word will eat as doth a canker." Some think he especially warns them to take heed of the judaizing teachers, who, under convert of the Christian name, kept up the Mosaical ceremonies, and preached the necessity of them, who were industrious in all places to draw disciples after them, and whom Paul in most of his epistles cautions the churches to take heed of.
II.The reasons to enforce this caution.
1.Because of the pernicious policy of these seducers, Rom 16:18. The worse they are, the more need we have to watch against them. Now observe his description of them, in two things: - (1.) The master they serve: not our Lord Jesus Christ. Though they call themselves Christians, they do not serve Christ; do not aim at his glory, promote his interest, nor do his will, whatever they pretend. How many are there who call Christ Master and Lord, that are far from serving him! But they serve their own belly - their carnal, sensual, secular interests. It is some base lust or other that they are pleasing; pride, ambition, covetousness, luxury, lasciviousness, these are the designs which they are really carrying on. Their God is their belly, Phi 3:19. What a base master do they serve, and how unworthy to come in competition with Christ, that serve their own bellies, that make gain their godliness, and the gratifying of a sensual appetite the very scope and business of their lives, to which all other purposes and designs must truckle and be made subservient. (2.) The method they take to compass their design: By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple. Their words and speeches have a show of holiness and zeal for God (it is an easy thing to be godly from the teeth outward), and show of kindness and love to those into whom they instil their corrupt doctrines, accosting them courteously when they intend them the greatest mischief. Thus by good words and fair speeches the serpent beguiled Eve. Observe, They corrupt their heads by deceiving their hearts, pervert their judgments by slyly insinuating themselves into their affections. We have a great need therefore to keep our hearts with all diligence, especially when seducing spirits are abroad.
2.Because of the peril we are in, through our proneness and aptness to be inveigled and ensnared by them: "For your obedience has come abroad unto all men - you are noted in all the churches for a willing, tractable, complying people." And,
(1.)Therefore, because it was so, these seducing teachers would be the more apt to assault them. The devil and his agents have a particular spite against flourishing churches and flourishing souls. The ship that is known to be richly laden is most exposed to privateers. The adversary and enemy covets such a prey, therefore look to yourselves, Jo2 1:8. "The false teachers hear that you are an obedient people, and therefore they will be likely to come among you, to see if you will be obedient to them." It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon those who are softened by convictions, and begin to enquire what they shall do, because such do most easily receive the impressions of their opinions. Sad experience witnesses how many who have begun to ask the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward, have fatally split upon this rock, which proves it to be much the duty of ministers, with a double care, to feed the lambs of the flock, to lay a good foundation, and gently to lead those that are with young.
(2.)Though it were so, yet they were in danger from these seducers. This Paul suggests with a great deal of modesty and tenderness; not as one suspicious of them, but as one solicitous for them: "You obedience has come abroad unto all men; we grant this and rejoice in it: I am glad therefore on your behalf." Thus does he insinuate their commendation, the better to make way for the caution. A holy jealousy of our friends may very well comport with a holy joy in them. "You think yourselves a very happy people, and so do I too: but for all that you must not be secure: I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. You are a willing good-natured people, but you had best take heed of being imposed upon by those seducers." A pliable temper is good when it is under good government; but otherwise it may be very ensnaring; and therefore he gives two general rules: - [1.] To be wise unto that which is good, that is, to be skilful and intelligent in the truths and ways of God. "Be wise to try the spirits, to prove all things, and then to hold fast that only which is good." There is need of a great deal of wisdom in our adherence to good truths, and good duties, and good people, lest in any of these we be imposed upon and deluded. Be ye therefore wise as serpents (Mat 10:16), wise to discern that which is really good and that which is counterfeit; wise to distinguish things that differ, to improve opportunities. While we are in the midst of so many deceivers, we have great need of that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way, Pro 14:8. [2.] To be simple concerning evil - so wise as not to be deceived, and yet so simple as not to be deceivers. It is a holy simplicity, not to be able to contrive, nor palliate, nor carry on, any evil design; akeraious - harmless, unmixed, inoffensive. In malice be you children, Co1 14:20. The wisdom of the serpent becomes Christians, but not the subtlety of the old serpent. We must withal be harmless as doves. That is a wisely simple man that knows not how to do any thing against the truth. Now Paul was the more solicitous for the Roman church, that it might preserve its integrity, because it was so famous; it was a city upon a hill, and many eyes were upon the Christians there, so that an error prevailing there would be a bad precedent, and have an ill influence upon other churches: as indeed it has since proved in fact, the great apostasy of the latter days taking its rise from that capital city. The errors of leading churches are leading errors. When the bishop of Rome fell as a great star from heaven (Rev 8:10), his tail drew a third part of the stars after him, Rev 12:4.
3.Because of the promise of God, that we shall have victory at last, which is given to quicken and encourage, not to supersede, our watchful cares and vigorous endeavours. It is a very sweet promise (Rom 16:20): The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet.
(1.)The titles he gives to God: The God of peace, the author and giver of all good. When we come to God for spiritual victories, we must not only eye him as the Lord of hosts, whose all power is, but as the God of peace, a God at peace with us, speaking peace to us, working peace in us, creating peace for us. Victory comes from God more as the God of peace than as the God of war; for, in all our conflicts, peace is the thing we must contend for. God, as the God of peace, will restrain and vanquish all those that cause divisions and offences, and so break and disturb the peace of the church.
(2.)The blessing he expects from God - a victory over Satan. If he mean primarily those false doctrines and seducing spirits spoken of before, of which Satan was the prime founder and author, yet doubtless, it comprehends all the other designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them, all his attempts to keep us from the purity of heaven, the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. Satan tempting and troubling, acting as a deceiver and as a destroyer, the God of peace will bruise under our feet. He had cautioned them before against simplicity: now they, being conscious of their own great weakness and folly, might think, "How shall we evade and escape these snares that are laid for us? Will not these adversaries of our souls be at length too hard for us?" "No," says he, "fear not; though you cannot overcome in your own strength and wisdom, yet the God of peace will do it for you; and through him that loved us we shall be more than conquerors." [1.] The victory shall be complete: He shall bruise Satan under your feet, plainly alluding to the first promise the Messiah made in paradise (Gen 3:15), that the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head, which is in the fulfilling every day, while the saints are enabled to resist and overcome the temptations of Satan, and will be perfectly fulfilled when, in spite of all the powers of darkness, all that belong to the election of grace shall be brought triumphantly to glory. When Joshua had conquered the kings of Canaan, he called the captains of Israel to set their feet upon the necks of those kings (Jos 10:24), so will Christ, our Joshua, enable all his faithful servants and soldiers to set their feet upon Satan's neck, to trample upon, and triumph over, their spiritual enemies. Christ hath overcome for us; disarmed the strong man armed, broken his power, and we have nothing to do but to pursue the victory and divide the spoil. Let this quicken us to our spiritual conflict, to fight the good fight of faith - we have to do with a conquered enemy, and the victory will be perfect shortly. [2.] The victory shall be speedy: He shall do it shortly. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come. He hath said it, Behold, I come quickly. When Satan seems to have prevailed, and we are ready to give up all for lost, then will the God of peace cut the work short in righteousness. It will encourage soldiers when they know the war will be at an end quickly, in such a victory. Some refer it to the happy period of their contentions in true love and unity; others to the period of the church's persecutions in the conversion of the powers of the empire to Christianity, when the bloody enemies of the church were subdued and trampled on by Constantine, and the church under his government. It is rather to be applied to the victory which all the saints shall have over Satan when they come to heaven, and shall be for ever out of his reach, together with the present victories which through grace they obtain in earnest of that. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while; when we have once got through the Red Sea, we shall see our spiritual enemies dead on the shore, and triumphantly sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. To this therefore he subjoins the benediction, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you - the good-will of Christ towards you, the good work of Christ in you. This will be the best preservative against the snares of heretics, and schismatics, and false teachers. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can be against us so as to prevail? Be strong therefore in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. Paul, not only as a friend, but as a minister and an apostle, who had received grace for grace, thus with authority blesses them with this blessing, and repeats it, Rom 16:24.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
8 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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It seems to me that “Satan” here refers to any spirit which is opposed to God. For in our language, Satan means “adversary.”But just as the apostle teaches that if they behave and demonstrate that they are the kind of people he says they are, then he promises that Satan will soon be crushed under their feet by the God of peace, so the same God of peace will stir up Satan in the hearts of those who do not keep his peace with a pure heart and a clean conscience. Thus whoever neglects the blessing of peace will suffer the bitter pangs of the adversaries until he remembers the sweetness of the peace which he has rejected. Therefore we are edified by both of these things, for God is said to stir up Satan against those who neglect him and to subdue him for the benefit of those who dedicate themselves to him, giving them the palm of victory over their vanquished foe and pouring out on them the rewards of victory.
For, in the proceedings before the proconsul; as a good and true teacher you first have pronounced that which we your disciples, following you, ought to say before the president. And, as a sounding trumpet, you have stirred up God's soldiers, furnished with heavenly arms, to the close encounter; and fighting in the first rank, you have slain the devil with a spiritual sword: you have also ordered the troops of the brethren, on the one hand and on the other, with your words, so that snares were on all sides laid for the enemy, and the severed sinews of the very carcase of the public foe were trodden under foot. Believe us, dearest, that your innocent spirit is not far from the hundred-fold reward, seeing that it has feared neither the first onsets of the world, nor shrunk from going into exile, nor hesitated to leave the city, nor dreaded to dwell in a desert place; and since it furnished many with an example of confession, itself first spoke the martyr-witness. For it provoked others to acts of martyrdom by its own example; and not only began to be a companion of the martyrs already departing from the world, but also linked a heavenly friendship with those who should be so.
And then also shall ye do away with all ill-will, and bruise the head of that ancient serpent,
And after that let him proclaim: Ye penitents, pray; let us all earnestly pray for our brethren in the state of penitence, that God, the lover of compassion, will show them the way of repentance, and accept their return and their confession, and bruise Satan under their feet suddenly,
Paul says this about his own coming to them, for then he will crush the devil so that they will be able to receive spiritual grace. Satan gets angry at that, because he wants people to remain in sin. The grace which he has promised he will give them when he comes he now prays that they will have. For if they deserve to receive that grace, then he is already with them in spirit.
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
For since he had spoken of those who "caused divisions and offences among them," he has mentioned "the God of peace" also, that they might feel hopeful about the riddance of these evils. For he that rejoiceth in this (i. e., peace) will put an end to that which makes havoc of it. And he does not say, will subject, but "will bruise," which is a stronger expression. And not those people only, but also him who was the general over them herein, Satan. And not "will bruise" merely, but "under your feet," so that they may obtain the victory themselves, and become noble by the trophy. And the time again is made a ground of comfort. For he adds, "shortly." And this was prayer and prophecy as well at once. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
That greatest weapon; that impregnable wall; that tower unshaken! For he reminds them of the grace, that he may give them the more alacrity. Because if ye have been freed from the ills more grievous by far, and freed by grace only, much more will ye be freed from the lesser, now ye have become friends too, and contribute your own share likewise. You see how he neither puts prayer without works, nor works without prayer. For after giving them credit for their obedience, then he prays; to show that we need both, our own part as well as God's part, if we are to be duly saved. For it was not before only, but now too, even though we be great and in high esteem, we need grace from Him.
The Lord has given us power to tread upon scorpions and snakes and every power of the enemy so that he may not prevail over us and so that we can walk over him with all our members free and unfettered.
After revealing the enemy, Paul points to the Savior. Those who receive God’s grace will never be defeated.
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Summary
Romans 16:20 serves as a powerful concluding benediction in Paul's letter, offering the Roman believers a profound assurance of God's ultimate triumph over evil and a comforting reminder of His character as the "God of peace." Amidst warnings against division and false teaching, Paul promises that God will decisively crush Satan, implying the church's participation in this victory, and closes with a characteristic invocation of the unmerited grace of Jesus Christ, underscoring that all divine blessings flow from Him.
Context
Literary Context
This verse appears at the very conclusion of Paul's magisterial epistle to the Romans, following an extensive theological treatise (chapters 1-11) and practical exhortations regarding Christian living and community (chapters 12-15). Chapter 16 is primarily dedicated to personal greetings, commendations of various individuals like Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), and final instructions. Significantly, just prior to this benediction, Paul issues a stern warning against those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine the Roman Christians had learned, describing them as serving their own appetites rather than Christ (Romans 16:17-18). Against this backdrop of potential internal strife and external spiritual opposition, Romans 16:20 provides a climactic word of hope, divine sovereignty, and ultimate triumph, reassuring believers that God is in control of the cosmic conflict.
Historical & Cultural Context
The church in Rome was a diverse community, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, which often led to tensions and differing interpretations of Christian practice, as evidenced by Paul's discussions on eating meat and observing special days in Romans 14. Furthermore, the nascent Christian movement faced external pressures from both Jewish authorities and the pagan Roman society, which viewed their monotheistic faith and exclusive allegiance to Christ with suspicion. The concept of "peace" (eirēnē) would have resonated deeply in a city that prided itself on the Pax Romana, a peace enforced by imperial power. Paul's declaration of "the God of peace" offered a stark contrast, pointing to a divine, spiritual peace that transcends political stability and addresses the deeper spiritual conflict with Satan, the ultimate source of all disorder and opposition to God's reign.
Key Themes
Romans 16:20 encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes found throughout Romans and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully reiterates the theme of Divine Victory Over Evil, echoing the ancient promise in Genesis 3:15, often called the protoevangelium, where the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. This signifies God's absolute and decisive triumph over sin, death, and the forces of darkness, providing immense comfort to believers engaged in spiritual warfare, as described in Ephesians 6:12. Secondly, the title "The God of Peace" highlights God's essential character as the ultimate source of true peace, wholeness, and reconciliation, especially pertinent after Paul's warnings about division. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of comprehensive well-being and harmony that God alone provides. Thirdly, the phrase "under your feet" subtly introduces the theme of Believer's Participation in Victory, suggesting that believers, through their union with Christ, share in His triumph and authority over the enemy, aligning with the concept of being more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Finally, the closing benediction emphasizes the indispensable theme of Divine Grace, affirming that all blessings, including peace and victory, flow from the unmerited favor of Jesus Christ.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This Greek word (G4937) signifies "to crush completely," "to shatter," or "to break in pieces." Its use here emphasizes the decisive, total, and incapacitating nature of Satan's defeat. It is not a mere injury or setback but a definitive and destructive blow, ensuring the enemy's ultimate powerlessness.
Derived from a verb meaning "to join," this term (G1515) in its biblical context denotes far more than simply the absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, well-being, harmony, prosperity, and a comprehensive state of spiritual and physical flourishing. When God is called "the God of peace," it highlights His character as the one who brings order out of chaos, reconciliation out of strife, and ultimate shalom to His creation.
This word (G5485) refers to graciousness, favor, or unmerited divine influence upon the heart, which is then reflected in the life. In the context of the benediction, it underscores that the believers' standing, strength, victory, and peace are not earned but freely bestowed by God through Jesus Christ. It is the foundational principle of their salvation and ongoing sustenance.
Verse Breakdown
"And the God of peace"
This opening phrase identifies the divine agent of the promised action. God is not merely powerful, but specifically characterized as the source and sustainer of peace, a crucial attribute given the context of warnings against division within the church. This title assures believers that the one who acts on their behalf is inherently committed to their wholeness and well-being.
"shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
This is the core promise of the verse. "Bruise" (syntríbō) indicates a complete and decisive crushing. Satan, the adversary, will be utterly defeated. The phrase "under your feet" signifies a position of subjugation and triumph, implying that believers, by virtue of their union with Christ, will participate in or experience the benefits of this victory. The adverb "shortly" (táchos) conveys an expectation of swiftness or imminence, emphasizing the certainty and timeliness of God's ultimate plan, even if the final consummation is yet to come.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen."
This concluding benediction is a characteristic Pauline farewell. It functions as both a prayer and a declaration, invoking the unmerited favor and divine enablement that flows from Jesus Christ. This grace is the source of all spiritual blessings, including the peace and victory just promised. "Amen" (from the Hebrew for "firm" or "surely") affirms the truth and certainty of the preceding statement, sealing the promise and benediction with divine authority.
Literary Devices
Romans 16:20 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is Allusion, specifically to the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15, where God promises that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent's head. By echoing this ancient prophecy, Paul connects the ultimate defeat of Satan to the ongoing work of God through Christ and His church, framing the current struggle within a grand, redemptive historical narrative. The phrase "God of peace" functions as a significant Theological Title, emphasizing God's inherent nature and His commitment to bring order and wholeness, particularly in contrast to the chaos sown by Satan and divisive individuals. Finally, the entire verse serves as a Benediction, a formal blessing or invocation of divine favor, characteristic of Paul's letter endings. This benediction not only conveys a blessing but also acts as a prophetic declaration, assuring the recipients of a future reality grounded in God's power and grace.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Romans 16:20 stands as a powerful theological statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all cosmic forces, particularly evil. It underscores the certainty of Satan's ultimate defeat, a victory already secured by Christ's death and resurrection, yet awaiting its full consummation. This promise is intrinsically linked to God's character as the "God of peace," highlighting that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of spiritual wholeness and divine order established through His triumph over all that opposes Him. The inclusion of "under your feet" subtly points to the believer's participation in Christ's victory, not through their own power, but as recipients and instruments of His already accomplished work, empowering them to stand firm against spiritual opposition.
Reflection and Application
Romans 16:20 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers navigating the complexities of faith in a fallen world. In an age where spiritual opposition and internal divisions can feel overwhelming, this verse reminds us that the ultimate victory belongs to God. We are not engaged in a losing battle, nor are we left to our own devices; rather, we are assured that the "God of peace" is actively working to crush the very source of chaos and strife. This truth should instill courage, foster resilience, and cultivate an unwavering hope, knowing that our struggles are temporary and our triumph is certain through Christ. Furthermore, the closing benediction, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you," serves as a vital anchor, reminding us that our strength, peace, and ability to overcome are not derived from our own efforts or merits, but flow entirely from God's unmerited favor. This calls us to a posture of humility and dependence, resting in His sovereign power and abundant grace in every circumstance.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "bruise Satan under your feet" mean, and how does it relate to believers?
The phrase "bruise Satan under your feet" signifies a complete, decisive, and humiliating defeat of Satan. The Greek word for "bruise" (syntríbō) implies a crushing or shattering, not just a minor injury. This echoes the ancient prophecy in Genesis 3:15, where the "seed of the woman" (ultimately Christ) would crush the serpent's head. For believers, this means that while God is the one who performs the crushing, the victory is experienced "under your feet." This implies that believers, by virtue of their union with Christ, share in His triumph and authority over the enemy. It's not that believers crush Satan in their own power, but that they stand on the ground of Christ's accomplished victory, participating in its benefits and exercising the authority He has given them over spiritual forces, as seen in Luke 10:19. It assures them that their spiritual adversary is ultimately defeated and will be fully subjugated.
Why is God called "the God of peace" in this context, especially after warnings about division?
Paul's designation of God as "the God of peace" is highly significant, particularly coming immediately after his strong warnings against those who cause divisions and offenses within the church in Romans 16:17-18. This title highlights God's essential character as the ultimate source of true peace, wholeness (shalom), and unity. In a community potentially fractured by internal strife and external pressures, Paul reminds them that the very God who will decisively defeat the cosmic enemy (Satan, the ultimate source of all discord) is also the one who brings reconciliation and harmony. This serves as both a comfort and a call to action: believers are to embody the peace of God in their relationships, knowing that He is working to overcome all forms of division and bring about His perfect order, as described in Philippians 4:7.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Romans 16:20 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise that "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet" is a direct echo of the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15, which prophesied that the "seed of the woman" would crush the serpent's head. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, is that promised "seed." His life, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection constitute the decisive blow against Satan's power. Through His crucifixion, Christ disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). His death was specifically designed to "destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). Therefore, the "bruising" of Satan is a past, accomplished fact in Christ's redemptive work, even though its full manifestation awaits His glorious return and the final judgment, when Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). The "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" that concludes the verse is the very means by which believers participate in this already-won victory, enabling them to stand firm and experience the peace that flows from His finished work.