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Verse Takeaways
1
"Coals of Fire" Explained
Commentators overwhelmingly agree that "heaping coals of fire" is not about calling down divine punishment. Instead, it's a powerful metaphor for causing an enemy to feel the burning pangs of shame and guilt. Your unexpected kindness is meant to sting their conscience, highlighting their own wrongdoing and potentially leading them to repentance.
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Romans
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Romans 12:20
18th Century
Theologian
Therefore if your enemy hungers, etc. This verse is taken almost literally from Proverbs 25:21-22. Hunger and thirst here represent need i…
AT Robertson
On Romans 12:20
Feed him (ψωμιζε αυτον). Quotation from LXX text of Pr 25:21f. Present active imperative of verb from ψωμος, a morsel, and so to f…
Charles Ellicott
On Romans 12:20
19th Century
Bishop
You shall heap coals of fire.—Compare to Psalms 18:12-14, where the phrase “coals of fire” is used of divine vengeance. S…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Romans 12:20
Paul takes his stand alongside believers by giving them explicit counsel about how to face the hostile world. “Do not repay evil for evil” (v.17), …
John Calvin
On Romans 12:20
16th Century
Theologian
If therefore, etc. He now shows how we can truly fulfill the commands of not taking revenge and not repaying evil, even when we not only r…
John Gill
On Romans 12:20
17th Century
Pastor
Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him These words are taken from (Proverbs 25:21Proverbs 25:22…
Matthew Henry
On Romans 12:17–21
17th Century
Minister
Since people became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies to one another. And those who embrace religion must expect to meet with…