Romans 12:20 

NASB – But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

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.”

VOICE – But consider this bit of wisdom: “If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink; because if you treat him kindly, it will be like heaping hot coals on top of his head.” 

Responding to Our Enemies

This teaching goes against the natural human response to retaliate against those that hurt us. The goal of this is to show practical love and kindness towards everyone, including your enemies. In the ancient world, sharing a meal was a way to share fellowship and peace. Paul’s teaching, which echoes Jesus’ teaching, challenges believers to demonstrate God’s love through tangible actions. Giving water was an act of compassion. This showed how one can meet the essential needs of another. The portion about “heap burning coals on his head” has been interpreted various ways over the years. Some people say that it refers to causing an enemy to feel shame and remorse for their evil behaviors, which would lead to repentance. Others believe it connected to an ancient Egyptian ritual where carrying coals connected to repentance. Overall, this shows how we can create a space for conscience, change, and restore peace. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: A lot of what we see here is how the acts of love of compassion and kindness will lead to the great change of behavior 

Responding as Jesus Taught

This reminds of another teaching of Christ. Found in Matthew 25:35-40, this is what Jesus said: 

35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 

36 I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 

37 Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 

38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 

39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ 

Paul mentions that our behaviors towards our enemies should be done in a way that allows us to still share care and compassion to all of God’s humans. The goal is to offer fellowship, peace, and compassion. To treat our neighbors as how we want to be treated. As Jesus expanded it in the Matthew passage, when we treat each other in these capacities, we are treating Jesus in this same way. The one that I tend to see in life compared to what Jesus is teaching here, is that how we treat each other is through our actions. The words that we use show the underlying motives and intentions behind it, but they often don’t mean a thing if we don’t apply an action behind it. Even when we start to bad mouth and gossip about others, our lack of action to step in and help others is still an action. Overall, let us go to treat others in the same way Christ treats us. Regardless of what others have done to us, let us treat each other as God’s creation and God’s child. Treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and appropriate boundaries.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Think back to those that have hurt you and that you would consider an enemy. How do you treat them? How did you wish they treated you?