Romans 12:20

Romans 12:20

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, ^alive peaceably with all men.

19 Beloved, ^ado not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ^b“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 Therefore
^a“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but ^aovercome evil with good.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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Romans 12:21 >>

Feed him (ywmize auton). Quotation from LXX text of Proverbs 25:21 f. Present active imperative of verb from ywmov, a morsel, and so to feed crumbs to babies, then to feed in general. In N.T. only here and I Corinthians 13:3.

Thou shalt heap (swreuseiv). Future active of old verb swreuw from swrov, a heap. In N.T. only here and II Timothy 3:6.

Coals of fire (anqrakav purov). That is, burning or live coals.

Anthrax (our "anthracite") is an old word, only here in N.T. It is a metaphor for keen anguish. The Arabs have a proverb "coals in the heart," "fire in the liver." Such kindness may lead to repentance also.

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Romans 12:20:**

Matthew 5:43
2 Timothy 3:6

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Romans 12:21 >>

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