Devine Scripture

Romans 16:20

What does Romans 16:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 16:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 16:20 means

Paul assures them that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet, and he adds a blessing of the Lord Jesus’s grace. The promise ties their vigilance to God’s decisive action: the adversary will not prevail. “God of peace” conquers by establishing wholeness, not chaos. The imagery echoes God’s ancient pledge to defeat the serpent and is fulfilled through Christ’s victory, now shared with His people. The added grace-benediction reminds them that strength for endurance and triumph comes from the Lord’s unmerited favor, not human resolve.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the God of peace will be crushing Satan under your feet before long. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the God of the peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <FI>be<Fi> with you. Amen!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But theGod of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

Context

Paul follows exhortation with encouragement—a promise of God’s near victory over Satan and a benediction of grace. This hope anchors the community as it resists divisive influences. Next, in verses 21–23, Paul relays greetings from coworkers and local believers where he is writing, showing the inter-church ties that support his ministry. Verse 24, in this text, is absent; then verses 25–27 provide a majestic doxology that sums up the letter’s gospel themes and gives glory to God through Christ.

v.19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.

v.20This passage

v.21Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 6:18

    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:14

    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

  • Genesis 3:15

    and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Isaiah 25:8

    He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it.

  • Romans 8:37

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:18

    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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