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

ROMANS 16:20KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 16:20 (KJV)

What does Romans 16:20 mean?

Romans 16:20 promises that God, described as the God of peace, will soon defeat Satan, bringing him under the feet of the believers. Paul ends this statement with a blessing, asking that the grace of Jesus Christ be with the readers.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, closing his letter with encouragement and reassurance. The verse points to God’s ultimate victory over evil and reminds the church that God’s peace and Jesus’ grace are with them, even as they face challenges.

The Greek behind Romans 16:20

  • "Bruise" (συντρίβω, syntribō) means to crush or break in pieces. This word suggests a decisive, forceful defeat of Satan, not just a minor setback.
  • "Shortly" (ἐν τάχει, en tachei) carries the sense of something happening soon or quickly. Paul is reassuring the believers that God’s victory is not far off.
  • "Under your feet" (ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας ὑμῶν, hypo tous podas hymōn) is a picture of total defeat, where an enemy is made powerless and subject to those who follow God.

Why Romans 16:20 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that evil has the final say; Paul emphasizes that God’s peace will win out and that Satan’s defeat is certain.
  • The use of "under your feet" connects to Old Testament imagery of enemies being subdued, showing that believers share in God’s victory.
  • Paul’s blessing about grace ties the promise of victory directly to Jesus, reminding readers that their strength and hope come from Him.

Where else these words appear

“shortly” Greek G5034 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
  • Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
  • Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

“bruise” Greek G4937 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
  • Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
  • Luke 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

“Satan” Greek G4567 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

“peace” Greek G1515 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
  • Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.