Romans 12 20

Romans 12:20 kjv

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Romans 12:20 nkjv

Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

Romans 12:20 niv

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Romans 12:20 esv

To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Romans 12:20 nlt

Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads."

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 20 Meaning

Romans 12:20 calls believers to respond to personal adversaries with radical, active benevolence, specifically meeting their basic human needs when they are vulnerable. This instruction directly contradicts the natural impulse to retaliate, instead advocating for practical, selfless love. The verse concludes by stating that such actions will result in "heaping burning coals on his head," which refers not to literal punishment, but to creating deep shame, remorse, or a melting of their hostility, potentially leading to their repentance or a change of heart, thereby overcoming evil with good.

Romans 12 20 Context

Romans chapter 12 marks a pivotal transition in Paul's letter from profound theological doctrine to practical Christian living, specifically how believers should live transformed lives in response to God's mercies (Rom 12:1). The entire chapter emphasizes a counter-cultural ethos, urging humility, service within the church body, genuine love, fervent spirit, patience in suffering, and perseverance in prayer (Rom 12:3-13). The immediate context (Rom 12:17-19) instructs believers not to repay evil for evil, to seek peace with all people, and, critically, not to avenge themselves but to leave vengeance to God. Verse 20 directly builds upon this by prescribing how one overcomes evil and refrains from vengeance—through radical acts of kindness towards an enemy. This guidance offers a tangible method for actively pursuing the "overcome evil with good" mandate of Rom 12:21. Historically, this message would have been especially counter-cultural in a Roman society that often valued honor, strength, and reciprocal justice (or vengeance), challenging believers to embody a different ethic derived from Christ.

Romans 12 20 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν, oun): Connects the command in this verse directly to the preceding injunctions, especially Rom 12:17-19, to not take vengeance and live peacefully. It implies that what follows is the means by which believers can abstain from vengeance and conquer evil.
• if thine enemy (ἐάν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ean peina ho echthros sou): "Enemy" (echthros) refers to a personal adversary, one who is hostile or ill-disposed towards you, rather than a national or military foe. The "if" clause highlights a conditional situation, assuming such a need might arise, making the instruction highly practical.
• hunger (πεινᾷ, peinao): To be hungry, lacking food.
• feed him (ψώμιζε αὐτόν, psōmizo auton): A clear, direct command for active provision. "Feed" implies offering sustenance, going beyond mere absence of harm.
• if he thirst (ἐὰν διψᾷ, ean dipsa): To be thirsty, lacking drink.
• give him drink (πότιζε αὐτόν, potizo auton): Another direct, active command to provide for a basic human need. Both hunger and thirst represent fundamental human vulnerabilities, underscoring the universality and urgency of the compassionate act.
• for in so doing (τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν, touto gar poiōn): Establishes a causal link; the act of feeding and giving drink has a specific consequence.
• thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head (ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, anthrakas pyros sōreuseis epi tēn kephalēn autou):
  • Heap (σωρεύσεις, sōreuseis): To pile up, amass, accumulate. The image is of gathering a significant quantity.
  • Coals of fire (ἄνθρακας πυρός, anthrakas pyros): Refers to live, burning embers. This phrase, borrowed from Prov 25:22, is metaphorical. It does not signify physical harm or vengeance, which Rom 12:19 explicitly forbids. The dominant interpretation is that such profound acts of kindness, shown despite enmity, would inflict deep shame, remorse, or moral discomfort upon the enemy, potentially melting their hostility or leading them to repent.
  • on his head (ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, epi tēn kephalēn autou): Directing the effect to the "head" could imply it reaching their conscience, their mind, or being a publicly visible sign of their moral discomfiture.

Romans 12 20 Bonus section

The act of "heaping coals of fire" can be viewed as an invitation for repentance. When an enemy is met with profound and unexpected kindness, it often exposes the baselessness and cruelty of their own actions. This moral dissonance creates internal discomfort that can serve as a catalyst for a change of heart or at least a cessation of hostile behavior. It forces the enemy to confront their animosity in light of the Christian's grace, making their own wickedness more apparent. Thus, this verse outlines a strategy not just of non-retaliation, but of aggressive, self-sacrificial love aimed at redeeming the enemy, if God permits. It signifies a profound moral victory for the believer, demonstrating the power of God's love operating through them.

Romans 12 20 Commentary

Romans 12:20 offers a radical and practical application of Christ's command to love enemies, rooted deeply in Old Testament wisdom literature. Paul directly quotes Proverbs 25:21-22, indicating a continuous thread of divine wisdom regarding ethical conduct even towards adversaries. The directive is not merely about withholding harm but actively initiating kindness, particularly in times of basic human vulnerability. By feeding a hungry enemy or giving drink to a thirsty one, a believer moves beyond passive non-retaliation to proactive benevolence. The enigmatic phrase "heap burning coals on his head" is crucial to understanding the verse's profound impact. It is consistently interpreted in Christian theology as an image of profound moral discomfort and conviction, leading to shame, remorse, or even a transformation of heart, rather than inflicting literal pain or further punishment. The sheer contrast between the enemy's ill will and the believer's selfless generosity can expose the enemy's own sin and melt their hardened heart, or at least deeply humble them. This approach serves not for indirect vengeance but for true reconciliation, aligning with Paul's overarching theme in Rom 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This is not a tactic of manipulation but a genuine outpouring of love that mirrors God's own patience and kindness towards undeserving humanity.

• Practical Example: A co-worker consistently undermines your efforts. Instead of complaining or sabotaging them in return, you see them struggling with a heavy workload, stay late, and quietly offer to help them complete a critical task without expectation of gratitude. The stark contrast between their antagonism and your unexpected assistance might lead them to reflect on their own actions.