Romans 12:14-21

14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16: Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation
17: Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
18: If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19: Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
20: “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
21: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

*** 

Paul continued his description of godly behavior and encouraged his readers to adhere to them. He said to bless their persecutors, not curse them. To empathize with others in their joys and sorrows. Not to be arrogant or think they were better than others, but to seek the good of the brethren as they would for themselves. He told them to do what they could to live in peace with others. Not to pay back evil with evil or take revenge but leave it to God who reserves vengeance for Himself, as he quoted in Deuteronomy 32:35.

Paul also quoted Proverbs 25:21-22—if your enemy is hungry or thirsty, feed him and give him drink. By doing so you are heaping burning coals on his head. We see this example in Old Testament Scripture in 2 Kings 6:8-23 where Elisha brought the army that came to capture him to the king of Israel who asked if he should kill them. Elisha said no, to feed them and let them go. We also read in Exodus 23:4-5 that the Lord told Moses to tell the people to return their enemy’s ox or donkey to him if they found it lost, or to help it if it was struggling.

Some say the coals of fire heaped on their head refers to God’s vengeance coming upon them. Some say it refers to your kindness towards them producing a grief, shame or repentance which results in a purging of their sin. It could be either one depending on your enemy’s response to your good deeds. If your kindness doesn’t lead to their repentance, they may end up suffering God’s vengeance. Yet we leave vengeance to God and see to it that we are not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. We don’t win a fight against evil by resorting to evil tactics ourselves. Good overcomes evil just as light overcomes darkness.

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