Romans 16:19-20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 16:17-20

The apostle having endeavoured by his endearing salutations to unite them together, it was not improper to subjoin a caution to take heed of those whose principles and practices were destructive to Christian love. And we may observe, I. The caution itself, which is given in the most obliging manner that could be: I beseech you, brethren. He does not will and command, as one that lorded it over God's heritage, but for love's sake beseeches. How earnest, how endearing, are Paul's exhortations!... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 16:17-20

16:17-20 Brothers, I urge you to keep your eye on those who, contrary to the teaching which they have received, cause dissensions and put in your way things which would trip you up. Steer clear of them. Such men are not real servants of Christ, our Lord; they are the servants of their own greed. By their plausibility and their flattery they deceive the hearts of innocent folk. I know that you will deal with such people, for the story of your obedience has reached all men. So, then, I rejoice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 16:19

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men ,.... That is, as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it, "the fame" and report of their obedience to the faith, to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the ministers of it, was spread everywhere, was well known to everyone, and spoken of with commendeth among all the churches in all nations: and this the apostle mentions as another reason why they should beware of false teachers, since it would be greatly to their reproach, should they, after... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 16:20

And the God of peace ,.... See Gill on Romans 15:33 ; shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly . Some read this by way of wish or prayer, "may the God of peace bruise"; so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, and the Alexandrian copy; but others as ours, as a promise, or as expressive of the apostle's faith and hope in this matter; and which he mentions to encourage the members of this church to be upon their guard, and make head against these false teachers; since in a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:19

For your obedience is come abroad - The apostle gives this as a reason why they should continue to hear and heed those who had led them into the path of truth, and avoid those false teachers whose doctrines tended to the subversion of their souls. Yet I would have you wise - I would wish you carefully to discern the good from the evil, and to show your wisdom, by carefully avoiding the one and cleaving to the other. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:20

The God of peace - Who neither sends nor favors such disturbers of the tranquillity of his Church. Shall bruise Satan - Shall give you the dominion over the great adversary of your souls, and over all his agents who, through his influence, endeavor to destroy your peace and subvert your minds. Several critics suppose that the word Satan is a sort of collective term here, by which all opposers and adversaries are meant; and especially those false teachers to whom he refers above. The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:19

Verse 19 19.Your obedience, (481) etc. This is said to anticipate an objection; for he shows that he did not warn them, as though he thought unfavorably of them, but because a fall in their case was such as might have easily happened; as if he had said, — “Your obedience is indeed commended everywhere, and for this reason I rejoice on your account: yet since it often happens, that a fall occurs through simplicity, I would have you to be harmless and simple as to the doing of evil; but in doing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 16:20

Verse 20 20.What follows, God shall bruise Satan, etc., is a promise to confirm them, rather than a prayer. He indeed exhorts them to fight manfully against Satan, and promises that they should shortly be victorious. He was indeed once conquered by Christ, but not in such a way but that he renews the war continually. He then promises ultimate defeat, which does not appear in the midst of the contest. At the same time he does not speak only of the last day, when Satan shall be completely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 16:1-19

Words of counsel for a Christian Church. The practical exhortations given in most of these closing chapters of this Epistle have reference mainly to the duties of individual Christians. The exhortations of this last chapter refer specially to the duty of the local Church in its corporate capacity. I. ATTENTION TO STRANGERS . Consideration for strangers was constantly impressed upon the Jewish people in ancient times. "Oppress not the stranger" ( Exodus 22:21 ; Exodus 23:1-33 ... read more