- Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Paul's closing paragraph to the Roman church. Immediately before this benediction he warns the believers to watch for divisive people who oppose the truth (Romans 16:17–18). This sentence is part of his final blessing and assurance to the congregation before the concluding doxology.
partial
Fulfilled inColossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 20:10
Scripture attests both an initial/manifest victory and an ultimate eschatological defeat of Satan. Colossians 2:15 recounts Christ's triumph over 'rulers and authorities' through the cross and resurrection; Hebrews 2:14 shows Christ destroyed 'him who holds the power of death' (undercutting Satan's power); 1 Corinthians 15:24–26 speaks of the final subjugation of all enemies, with 'the last enemy to be destroyed' being death. The ultimate, final judgment of Satan is narrated in Revelation 20:10, where he is thrown into the lake of fire. Thus Paul's statement is fulfilled in the already–not-yet manner: already accomplished in Christ's decisive victory, yet not fully consummated until the final eschatological overthrow recorded in Revelation.
This prophecy functions as pastoral assurance and eschatological hope: God is sovereign over evil and guarantees the defeat of Satan. It anchors Paul's pastoral warning (against those who stir division) in the larger narrative of Christ's victory and God's ultimate rule. The 'soon' language expresses the New Testament tension of imminent expectation and long–term consummation, reinforcing themes of Christus Victor (Christ's triumph over cosmic powers), the already/not-yet kingdom, and the believer's secure status amid present spiritual conflict.
- Romans 16:17-18
- Colossians 2:15
- Hebrews 2:14
- 1 Corinthians 15:24-26
- Revelation 20:10
- Genesis 3:15
- Ephesians 1:22
- Philippians 2:9-11