William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Romans 12:20

As if the apostle had said, "Instead of revenge, render kindness; return courtesies for injuries, affability for affronts: If thy enemy hunger, feed him." The words, as some critics observe, signify to feed their young ones. So doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

By coals of fire, 1. some understand an heart-melting fire: as if the apostle had said, "By thy kindness thou wilt melt and mollify his spirit towards thee, as hardest metals are melted by coals of fire: it must be. very stony heart indeed that this fire will not melt,. very disingenuous nature that meekness will not mollify. Clemency will melt an enemy, and even force him by. sweet compulsion to become. friend, though of. rough and rugged disposition."

2. By coals of fire heaped upon the head, others understand. sin-punishing fire. Thou shalt heap coals of fire, that is, the fire of divine vengeance, upon his head, by making his malice and hatred against thee more inexcusable.

Learn hence, 1. That to conquer and overcome an enemy by love and kindness, is. noble conquest; and. glorious victory, to melt him down by obliging favours into. good affection.

Learn, 2. That if an enemy, after such kind offices, will persevere in his enmity against us, the event will certainly be this: by our patience towards him, and forbearance of him, we shall engage the wrath of God against him, and heap coals of fire, that is, the divine vengeance, upon him.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Romans 12:20

Old Testament

New Testament