October 12, 2003

SATAN BRUISED UNDER YOUR FEET

Romans 16:17-24

   From greeting so many of the Roman church Paul extended greetings from "the churches of Christ: (16:17). Before his final farewell, he was constrained to give a word of caution and encouragement.

   "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the teaching which you have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [guileless]" (16:18). A needed and timely warning was this for Paul was very mindful of an enemy who does not sleep and that saints can be lulled into inattention and a lack of vigilance. He added, "...your obedience is come abroad unto all. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good and harmless concerning evil" (16:19). To conclude these remarks he adds, "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."

   Just as Paul reminded the Ephesians that those who fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind are themselves the tools of Satan, the prince of the power of the air, he here alerts them that the chief deceiver is the one behind those causing division and offenses and who serve their own belly. Paul had earlier referred to Eden and the fall of Adam in Romans 5. Here he refers to the bruising of the devil, but not by the Lord, but under the feet of the saints at Rome ! The context suggests that by heeding Paul's words of instruction and caution, they would thwart the enemy's evil schemes and, in a measure, defeat the devil's plan to cause trouble in their church.

   It is remarkable that the Lord's prophecy of defeating the devil is never attributed to Christ's work of the cross. Perhaps God is saying that Satan's ultimate defeat will be when all the seed, the redeemed of the Lord are with Him in His conquest over this foe? Victories of the saints along the way might well be harbingers of that ultimate battle and his utter defeat and humiliation. Satan under your feet!

Ivan L. Burgener