Romans 12:20
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
Paul expands the ethic from non-retaliation to active generosity toward enemies. Quoting Proverbs 25:21–22, he reframes hostility as an opportunity to reveal transformative love. Feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty to “heap coals of fire on his head” functions as a paradoxical method: kindness exposes wrongdoing, prompts reflection, and, in some cases, leads to repentance. In the cultural setting, enemies and outsiders could be clearly defined by social tension and oppression. The act of hospitality, even toward adversaries, echoes biblical patterns of mercy and grace, and it embodies the gospel’s radical love that breaks cycles of retribution. The phrase about coals of fire may have nuanced meanings (guilt and conscience, or a symbolic act of repentance through kindness). Regardless, the overarching aim is love in action that unsettles hostility and invites transformation.
The command harmonizes with Jesus’ teaching to love enemies (Luke 6) and with the overarching biblical motif that God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2). It reframes justice as restorative rather than punitive at every turn. The moment of heroism is not in vengeance but in visible mercy that challenges the moral imagination of the community. This action also demonstrates trust in God’s provision and timing: even when wronged, the faithful person offers relief to the wrongdoer, revealing the superiority of God’s righteous criterion over human retaliation.
Practical steps: respond to hostility with meals or drinks, or practical generosity—baking, sharing a meal, helping with needs. If someone harmed you, see if a practical kindness can address the root need (hunger, loneliness, pride) that fueled the conflict. This could involve inviting a rival to a shared meal, delivering groceries to a neighbor who mistreated you, or offering water in a drought of mercy. The goal isn’t naïveté but strategic love intended to soften hardened hearts and protect your own integrity. If the act doesn’t change the relationship, it still bears witness to the gospel.
Cross-References: Matthew 5:44; Proverbs 25:21; 1 Peter 3:9; Luke 6:35–36; Romans 2:4