Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The God of peace
This phrase emphasizes the nature of God as one who brings peace. The Greek word for peace, "eirēnē," suggests a state of tranquility and harmony. In the context of the Roman church, which was experiencing internal divisions and external pressures, this reminder of God's peaceful nature would have been both comforting and encouraging. Historically, peace was a rare commodity in the Roman Empire, often maintained through force. However, Paul presents God as the true source of peace, contrasting the temporary and often violent peace of Rome with the eternal and genuine peace found in God.

will soon crush
The Greek word for "crush" is "syntribō," which means to break in pieces or shatter. This evokes imagery of decisive and complete victory. The use of "soon" indicates an imminent action, providing hope and assurance to the believers that their struggles and the presence of evil are temporary. This promise of crushing is reminiscent of the prophecy in Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of Satan and evil.

Satan
Satan, from the Hebrew "satan," meaning adversary or accuser, is depicted as the ultimate enemy of God and His people. In the New Testament, Satan is portrayed as a real and personal being who opposes God's work and deceives humanity. The mention of Satan here serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face, but also of the assured victory through Christ. Historically, the early church faced persecution and false teachings, often attributed to Satan's influence, making this promise of his defeat particularly relevant.

under your feet
This phrase signifies victory and dominion. In ancient times, placing one's foot on the neck of a defeated enemy symbolized total conquest. Paul assures the Roman believers that they will share in Christ's victory over Satan. This imagery is empowering, reminding Christians of their authority in Christ and the ultimate triumph over evil. Scripturally, it echoes Psalm 110:1, where God promises to make the enemies a footstool, reinforcing the theme of divine victory.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you
Grace, from the Greek "charis," refers to unmerited favor and divine assistance. This benediction underscores the source of strength and victory for believers: the grace of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that the Christian life, including the battle against evil, is lived not by human effort but through the empowering grace of Christ. Historically, grace was a central theme in Paul's teachings, emphasizing that salvation and victory are gifts from God, not earned by works. This closing blessing serves as a reassurance of Christ's continual presence and support for the believers in Rome.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God of Peace
This title emphasizes God's nature as one who brings peace and reconciliation. It highlights His role in overcoming chaos and evil.

2. Satan
The adversary and accuser, representing evil and opposition to God's purposes. His defeat is assured by God's power.

3. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Romans, providing guidance and encouragement to the early church.

4. Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.

5. Jesus Christ
The source of grace and the one through whom victory over Satan is achieved.
Teaching Points
Assurance of Victory
Believers can have confidence in the ultimate triumph over evil because God Himself will crush Satan. This assurance should inspire hope and perseverance.

Role of Peace
God's identity as the "God of peace" underscores that true peace comes through His victory over evil. Believers are called to be peacemakers, reflecting God's nature.

Grace as Sustenance
The grace of Jesus is essential for believers as they await the fulfillment of God's promises. It empowers and sustains them in their spiritual journey.

Active Participation
While God promises victory, believers are called to actively resist evil and stand firm in faith, utilizing the spiritual resources God provides.

Community Encouragement
The promise of Satan's defeat is given to the church community, highlighting the importance of mutual encouragement and support in the faith journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as the "God of peace" influence your perspective on spiritual battles in your life?

2. In what ways can the assurance of Satan's defeat impact your daily walk with Christ?

3. How can you actively participate in God's victory over evil in your personal life and community?

4. What role does the grace of Jesus play in sustaining you through challenges and spiritual warfare?

5. How can you encourage others in your church community with the promise of Satan's defeat and God's peace?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 3:15
This verse is often seen as the first prophecy of Satan's defeat, where God declares enmity between the serpent and the woman's offspring, foreshadowing Christ's victory.

1 Corinthians 15:25-27
Paul speaks of Christ reigning until all enemies, including death, are put under His feet, echoing the theme of victory over evil.

Ephesians 6:10-18
The armor of God passage, which instructs believers on how to stand firm against the devil's schemes, complements the assurance of Satan's defeat.

Revelation 20:10
Describes the ultimate defeat and judgment of Satan, aligning with the promise of his crushing underfoot.
A Crushed SnakeAlexander MaclarenRomans 16:20
Satan Bruised by the God of PeaceR. Haldane.Romans 16:20
Satan Under the Control of GodC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 16:20
The Wonderful ConquestD. Thomas, D.D.Romans 16:20
Victory Over the Disturber of PeaceJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 16:20
Christian SalutationsT.F. Lockyer Romans 16:1-16, 21-23
Salutations and BenedictionsR.M. Edgar Romans 16:1-27
A Caution Against SchismaticsJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 16:17-20
A Last WarningT.F. Lockyer Romans 16:17-20
Accessories to ObedienceT. Robinson, D. D.Romans 16:17-20
Contagion of False DoctrineC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 16:17-20
Danger from Within the ChurchS. Jones.Romans 16:17-20
Danger of DissensionJ. Spencer.Romans 16:17-20
Danger of DissensionsHallam.Romans 16:17-20
Danger of DivisionsJ. Spencer.Romans 16:17-20
Danger of ErrorR. W. Hamilton, D. D.Romans 16:17-20
Difficult DetectionC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 16:17-20
Dividers and HereticsRomans 16:17-20
Dividers and HereticsT. Robinson.Romans 16:17-20
Divisions in the Church Arise from a Want of Spiritual LifeC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 16:17-20
Obedience of FaithJ. Lyth, D. D.Romans 16:17-20
Separation: Lawful and UnlawfulJ. Calvin.Romans 16:17-20
True DoctrineArchdeacon Hare.Romans 16:17-20
True ReligionT. Binney.Romans 16:17-20
The Object and the Strength of a Christian ChurchC.H. Irwin Romans 16:20-27
People
Amplias, Andronicus, Apelles, Aquila, Aristobulus, Asyncritus, Christians, Epaenetus, Erastus, Gaius, Hermas, Hermes, Herodion, Jason, Julia, Junia, Lucius, Mary, Narcissus, Nereus, Olympas, Patrobas, Paul, Persis, Phebe, Philologus, Phlegon, Prisca, Priscilla, Quartus, Romans, Rufus, Sosipater, Stachys, Tertius, Timotheus, Timothy, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Urbane
Places
Asia, Cenchreae, Rome
Topics
Adversary, Amen, Bruise, Christ, Crush, Crushing, Giver, Grace, Peace, Quickly, Satan, Shortly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Romans 16:20

     1130   God, sovereignty
     1205   God, titles of
     2027   Christ, grace and mercy
     2372   Christ, victory
     4116   angels, opposed to God
     4124   Satan, kingdom of
     4127   Satan, defeat of
     5151   feet
     5282   crushing
     5290   defeat
     5566   suffering, encouragements in
     5598   victory, over spiritual forces
     8638   benedictions
     8738   evil, victory over

Romans 16:3-27

     5328   greeting

Library
July 29. "My Helpers in Christ Jesus" (Rom. xvi. 3).
"My helpers in Christ Jesus" (Rom. xvi. 3). Christ's Church is overrun with captains. She is in great need of a few more privates. A few rivers run into the sea, but a larger number run into other rivers. We cannot all be pioneers, but we can all be helpers, and no man is fitted to go in the front until he has learned well how to go second. A spirit of self-importance is fatal to all work for Christ. The biggest enemy of true spiritual power is spiritual self-consciousness. Joshua must die before
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Tryphena and Tryphosa
'Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord.'--ROMANS xvi. 12. The number of salutations to members of the Roman Church is remarkable when we take into account that Paul had never visited it. The capital drew all sorts of people to it, and probably there had been personal intercourse between most of the persons here mentioned and the Apostle in some part of his wandering life. He not only displays his intimate knowledge of the persons saluted, but his beautiful delicacy and ingenuity in
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Persis
'Salute the beloved Persis, who laboured much in the Lord.'--ROMANS xvi. 12. There are a great number of otherwise unknown Christians who pass for a moment before our view in this chapter. Their characterisations are like the slight outlines in the background of some great artist's canvas: a touch of the brush is all that is spared for each, and yet, if we like to look sympathetically, they live before us. Now, this good woman, about whom we never hear again, and for whom these few words are all
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

A Crushed Snake
'The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.'--ROMANS xvi. 20. There are three other Scriptural sayings which may have been floating in the Apostle's mind when he penned this triumphant assurance. 'Thou shalt bruise his head'; the great first Evangel--we are to be endowed with Christ's power; 'The lion and the adder thou shalt trample under foot'--all the strength that was given to ancient saints is ours; 'Behold! I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Tertius
'I, Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord.'--ROMANS xvi. 22 (R.V.). One sometimes sees in old religious pictures, in some obscure corner, a tiny kneeling figure, the portrait of the artist. So Tertius here gets leave to hold the pen for a moment on his own account, and from Corinth sends his greeting to his unknown brethren in Rome. Apparently he was a stranger to them, and needed to introduce himself. He is never heard of before or since. For one brief moment he is visible, like
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Quartus a Brother
'Quartus a brother.'--ROMANS xvi. 23. I am afraid very few of us read often, or with much interest, those long lists of names at the end of Paul's letters. And yet there are plenty of lessons in them, if anybody will look at them lovingly and carefully. There does not seem much in these three words; but I am very much mistaken if they will not prove to be full of beauty and pathos, and to open out into a wonderful revelation of what Christianity is and does, as soon as we try to freshen them up
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Phoebe
'I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the Church that is at Cenchrea: 2. That ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the Saints, and that ye assist her in whatsover matter she may have need of you: for she herself hath been a succourer of many, and of mine own self.'--ROMANS xvi. 1, 2 (R.V.). This is an outline picture of an else wholly unknown person. She, like most of the other names mentioned in the salutations in this chapter, has had a singular fate. Every name, shadowy
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Two Households
'... Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11. ... Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.'--ROMANS xvi. 10, 11. There does not seem much to be got out of these two sets of salutations to two households in Rome; but if we look at them with eyes in our heads, and some sympathy in our hearts, I think we shall get lessons worth the treasuring. In the first place, here are two sets of people, members of two different households, and that means mainly, if not
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Priscilla and Aquila
'Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus; 4. (Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but so all the churches of the Gentiles:) 5. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.'--ROMANS xvi. 3-5. It has struck me that this wedded couple present, even in the scanty notices that we have of them, some interesting points which may be worth while gathering together. Now, to begin with, we are told that Aquila was a Jew. We are not told whether
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Pastor's Parting Blessing
THE CHRISTIAN IS A MAN of generous actions, but his wishes go far beyond his deeds. Where he cannot be beneficent he is benevolent. If he cannot actually accomplish good for all, yet he anxiously desires it. If it be not in his power to confer grace upon any, yet he prays that God would give his grace to all the brotherhood. His heart entertains thousands, though his house might be overfull with ten; his liberal desires feed nations, even though his purse be so scant that he cannot afford more than
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of this Weakness of His, He Saith in Another Place...
13. Of this weakness of his, he saith in another place, "We made ourselves small among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." [2510] For in that passage the context indicates this: "For neither at any time," saith he, "used we flattering words, as ye know, nor an occasion of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome to you as the Apostles of Christ: but we made ourselves small among you, even as a nurse cherisheth
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
PHILIPPIANS iv. 1-9 Euodia and Syntyche--Conditions to unanimity--Great uses of small occasions--Connexion to the paragraphs--The fortress and the sentinel--A golden chain of truths--Joy in the Lord--Yieldingness--Prayer in everything--Activities of a heart at rest Ver. 1. +So, my brethren beloved and longed for+, missed indeed, at this long distance from you, +my joy and crown+ of victory (stephanos), +thus+, as having such certainties and such aims, with such a Saviour, and looking for such
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Whether it is Lawful for a Bishop to have Property of his Own?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not lawful for a bishop to have property of his own. For our Lord said (Mat. 19:21): "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell all [Vulg.: 'what] thou hast, and give to the poor . . . and come, follow Me"; whence it would seem to follow that voluntary poverty is requisite for perfection. Now bishops are in the state of perfection. Therefore it would seem unlawful for them to possess anything as their own. Objection 2: Further, bishops take the place of the apostles in
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Always Abounding in the Work of the Lord
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, , unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'--1 Cor. 15:58 We all know the fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians, in its Divine revelation of the meaning of Christ's resurrection, with all the blessings of which it is the source. It gives us a living Saviour, who revealed Himself to His disciples on earth, and to Paul from heaven. It secures to us the complete deliverance from
Andrew Murray—Working For God!

The Death which Gives Life
'And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. 22. And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not. 24. And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25. And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26. And the superscription
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

After the Wreck
'And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Ignorance of Evil.
"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil."--Gen. iii. 22. It is plain that the temptation under which man fell in paradise was this, an ambitious curiosity after knowledge which was not allowed him: next came the desire of the eyes and the flesh, but the forbidden tree was called the tree of knowledge; the Tempter promised knowledge; and after the fall Almighty God pronounced, as in the text, that man had gained it. "Behold, the man is become as
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
V. 1, 2. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to those that are called to be holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. This Epistle is ascribed to the holy Apostle, St. Jude, brother of the two Apostles, James the Less and Simon, by the sister of the mother of Christ, who is called Mary (wife) of James or Cleopas, as we read in Mark vi. But this Epistle cannot be looked upon as being that of one who was truly an Apostle,
Martin Luther—The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

Epistle Xl. To Mauricius Augustus.
To Mauricius Augustus. Gregory to Mauricius, &c. The Piety of my Lords in their most serene commands, while set on refuting me on certain matters, in sparing me has by no means spared me. For by the use therein of the term simplicity they politely call me silly. It is true indeed that in Holy Scripture, when simplicity is spoken of in a good sense, it is often carefully associated with prudence and uprightness. Hence it is written of the blessed Job, The man was simple and upright (Job i. 1).
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Christ Crucified
"And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear His cross. And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they offered Him wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not. And they crucify Him, and part His garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the superscription of
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12).
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Thirty-First Day. Holiness and Heaven.
Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of men ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?'--2 Pet. iii. 11. 'Follow after the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.'--Heb. xii. 14. 'He that is holy, let him be made holy still.... The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the holy ones. Amen.'--Rev. xxii. 11, 21. O my brother, we are on our way to see God. We have been invited to meet the Holy One face to face. The infinite mystery of holiness, the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Scriptures in the New Testament. "But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."--John xx. 31. Having considered the apostolate, we are now to discuss God's gift to the Church, viz. the New Testament Scripture. The apostolate placed a new power in the Church. Surely all power is in heaven; but it has pleased God to let this power descend in the Church by means of organs and instruments, chief
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Extracts No. viii.
"In regard to the story reported among the Jews, respecting the body of Jesus, I admit there is a greater probability of there being such a report, especially if the body could not be found, and the apostles affirmed that he was risen from the dead, than there is that the resurrection, should be actually true: hence, perhaps, I was not so much on my guard in the expression as I ought to have been. What I particularly had in my mind was, that I might find it difficult to prove even the existence of
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

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