Most people have had an enemy at one time or another. And most people have likely envisioned what they want to do to that enemy: ruin their reputation; physically hurt them; give them a taste of their own medicine. But how many people have thought about piling up burning coals on their head? I don’t mean literally, but what Paul teaches in Romans 12:20.

God’s heart is not for His people to avenge themselves on their enemies, but to leave that to Him. Nevertheless, God’s heart doesn’t end there. He desires not only a passive patience but also an active love. He commands His people to feed their enemy, and to give him something to drink. And the reason is “for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

What does Paul mean by piling up burning coals? There are two main understandings. One has to do with making the enemies judgment harsher, and the other has to do with enemy shame and/or repentance. Thus, when you love your enemy and they continue to treat you with spite, burning coals of judgment are piling upon them for the day of judgment. The other interpretation suggests when you love your enemy, they may begin to feel ashamed and change their mind towards you, as we did in the face of the love of Christ.

Which is the correct understanding? Appealing to the OT, ancient culture, and immediate context are wise guides. This teaching about piling up burning coals initially comes from Proverbs 25:22. Additionally, the phrase “burning coals” is used in Psalm 140:10 as well as Ezekiel 1:13 and 10:2. A judgment rendering fits its use in Psalm 140:10, “Let burning coals fall upon them!” But it doesn’t fit the Ezekiel uses, which describe the likeness of the living creatures.

Ancient culture offers examples of burning coals in an Egyptian ritual and in Middle Assyrian laws. “[T]here is an Egyptian ritual…in which a man gave public evidence of his penitence by carrying a pan of burning charcoal on his head when he went to ask forgiveness of the one he had offended.”¹ This Egyptian ritual exemplifies a shame and/or repentance understanding well. On the other hand, the Middle Assyrian laws demonstrate hot tar poured on someone in judgment, fitting the judgment interpretation of Rom. 12:20. Both of these, however, have difficulties. “The first [Egyptian ritual] is in a late text and the action referred to has been variously interpreted. The second is hot tar, not coals, and is a punishment much like tarring (and feathering) in more recent history.”²

As for immediate context, Paul is calling Christians to respond, not in vengeance, but in love toward their enemies. Is Paul’s use of “burning coals” given to encourage Christians that by loving their enemies, their judgment would be harsher, or that by loving, they are giving examples to help them repent? Context, it seems, would favor a more positive understanding. The whole teaching section in which Rom. 12:20 is found is about loving their enemies and overcoming evil with good, not getting back at them.

Altogether, the OT, cultural context, and the text’s immediate context make a certain decision difficult. Maybe Paul left room for both ideas? But whatever exactly “burning coals” means, Christian are to remember the passive and active parts of their call here. Let us pass by vengeance and actively love our enemies.

Romans 12:19–20
¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰To 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.”