READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
April 14, 2020
“What do the “coals of fire’ mean in Rom 12:19-20?
Romans 12:19-20: 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [a]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” (NASB).
One interpretation of “heap(ing) burning coals on his head” is that it figuratively describes doing good that results in the conviction and shame of the enemy. As Dr. Constable explains it, “The expression supposedly alludes to the old custom of carrying burning coals in a pan. When one’s fire went out at home, a person would have to go to a neighbor and request hot coals that he or she would then carry home in a pan, typically on the head. Carrying the coals involved some danger, discomfort, and uneasiness for the person carrying them. Nevertheless they were the evidence of the neighbor’s love. Likewise the person who receives good for evil feels uncomfortable because of his neighbor’s love. This guilt may convict the wrongdoer of his or her ways in a gentle manner.”
I think there is a better explanation, but before I expand on that, let’s look at the surrounding context.
Verses 17-18 addresses how we should act when all attempts to avoid conflict with the enemies of God and His Church have failed.
In these kinds of circumstances, we need to continue to respond in love, trusting God to mete our justice since He has promised to judge the unrepentant (these verses are similar to Romans 2:4-5).
In Romans 12:20, Paul quoted from Prov 25:21-22. It is likely that “coals of fire” represent divine judgment and that Romans 12:20 is mostly reinforcing the message of verses 19. The imagery of “coals of fire” is consistently used in the Old Testament as a symbol of divine anger or judgment (see 2 Sam 22:9, 13; Ps 11:6; 18:13; Psalm 140:9-10).
Verse 19 expresses passively regarding not taking personal vengeance. Verse 20 expresses actively regarding the doing of good.
Regarding the meaning of “leave room for God’s wrath” in verse 19, when we are mistreated, abused, and our rights are taken away, we have a strong desire to retaliate because we were treated unjustly. No matter who badly we want to offer “payback,” we shouldn’t give in to that desire. So, the believer can return good for evil with the assurance that God will eventually punish his/her enemy.
Sources Used
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Notes on Romans.” 2020 Edition.
Day, John N. “‘Coals of Fire’ in Romans 12:19-20.” Bibliotheca Sacra 160:640 (October-December 2003):414-20
