The Blog

We discussed previously how Paul tells us in verses nineteen to twenty-one that we must not take vengeance again our enemies, and he lists some examples. At the end of verse twenty, Paul tells us that if we act Christlike, we will heap burning coals on their head. What does it mean to “heap burning coals” on someone’s head? This refers to an Egyptian tradition of carrying a pan of burning charcoal on one’s head as a public act of repentance. By alluding to this fact, Paul emphasizes that we should treat our enemies with Christlike love so that they will become ashamed of their own sinful ways and turn from their old life.

Romans 12:20
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[a]