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Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head."
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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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Therefore if your enemy hungers, etc. This verse is taken almost literally from Proverbs 25:21-22. Hunger and thirst here represent need i…
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…
19th Century
Anglican
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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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), …
16th Century
Protestant
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…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him These words are taken from (Proverbs 25:21Proverbs 25:22…
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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…
13th Century
Catholic
Previously, the Apostle showed that charity should be practiced toward the needy; now he shows how it should be practiced even toward ene…
