Romans 16:20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
the God
G2316
θεὸς
the God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰρήνης
of peace
G1515
εἰρήνης
of peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
5 of 24
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
συντρίψει
shall bruise
G4937
συντρίψει
shall bruise
Strong's:
G4937
Word #:
6 of 24
to crush completely, i.e., to shatter (literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 24
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάχει
G5034
τάχει
Strong's:
G5034
Word #:
14 of 24
a brief space (of time), i.e., (with g1722 prefixed) in haste
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
The grace
G5485
χάρις
The grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
16 of 24
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
18 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
20 of 24
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.1 John 3:8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Zechariah 10:5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.Malachi 4:3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.Romans 15:33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.1 Thessalonians 5:28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Revelation 22:21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.Romans 8:37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Historical Context
Genesis 3:15 (proto-evangelium, 'first gospel') promised the woman's seed would crush the serpent's head—fulfilled in Christ's death-resurrection (Colossians 2:15, 'spoiling principalities and powers'). Yet believers participate: 'resist the devil and he will flee' (James 4:7); 'overcome by the blood of the Lamb' (Revelation 12:11); Satan will be crushed 'shortly' (en tachei). Early Christians expected Satan's final defeat at Christ's return (Revelation 20:7-10), but experienced progressive victories over demons, idolatry, pagan oppression. Paul's promise encouraged persecuted believers: your struggle has cosmic significance—you're crushing Satan underfoot.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise that 'God will bruise Satan under your feet' (<em>syntripsei ton satanan hypo tous podas</em>) encourage you in spiritual warfare?
- What does it mean that the 'God of peace' (<em>theos tēs eirēnēs</em>) crushes the enemy—how do peace and conquest relate?
- How do believers participate in crushing Satan—through resisting temptation, exposing false teaching, enduring suffering, proclaiming the gospel?
Analysis & Commentary
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly—Ho de theos tēs eirēnēs syntripsei ton satanan hypo tous podas hymōn en tachei (ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης συντρίψει τὸν σατανᾶν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας ὑμῶν ἐν τάχει). Theos tēs eirēnēs (θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης, God of peace) is Paul's favorite benediction title—God who makes peace through Christ's blood (Colossians 1:20). Syntripsei (συντρίβω, bruise/crush) alludes to Genesis 3:15: the serpent's head will be crushed by the woman's seed. Hypo tous podas (ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας, under your feet) echoes Psalm 110:1—enemies made footstool. En tachei (ἐν τάχει, shortly/soon) promises imminent victory.
Paul applies Genesis 3:15 to Roman believers—they participate in Christ's triumph over Satan. The 'God of peace' crushes the enemy, securing shalom. False teachers (v. 17-19) are Satan's instruments; resisting them is cosmic warfare. Yet victory is assured: God will crush Satan (future tense) under your feet—believers actively participate in the enemy's defeat. This grounds confidence: however fierce the battle, Satan's doom is certain (Revelation 20:10).