Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
if thine enemy hunger, etc.—This is taken from Proverbs 25:21-22, which without doubt supplied the basis of those lofty precepts on that subject which form the culminating point of the Sermon on the Mount.
in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head—As the heaping of "coals of fire" is in the Old Testament the figurative expression of divine vengeance (Psalms 140:10; Psalms 11:6, etc.), the true sense of these words seems to be, "That will be the most effectual vengeance—a vengeance under which he will be fain to bend" (So ALFORD, HODGE, etc.). Romans 12:21 confirms this.
avenge not, etc.—(See on Romans 12:14).
but rather give place unto wrath—This is usually taken to mean, "but give room or space for wrath to spend itself." But as the context shows that the injunction is to leave vengeance to God, "wrath" here seems to mean, not the offense, which we are tempted to avenge, but the avenging wrath of God (see II Chronicles 24:18), which we are enjoined to await, or give room for. (So the best interpreters).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Romans 12:20:
Proverbs 25:21-22
Jeremiah 50:15
Ezekiel 25:15
Matthew 5:44
Romans 12:21
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