Heaping coals of fire on our enemy–what does that mean? Romans 12:20

Heap coals of fire on the heads of our enemies? Are we really supposed to do that?

I guess so—after all, that’s what Paul told the Romans to do, right? Well, let’s find out. Here is what he said:

Therefore 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. (Romans 12:20)

Something just does not seem right about that. I’m supposed to dump hot coals over someone’s head? I admit that sometimes I find that tempting. But before we gather coals from the fire pit, we better find out if we are understanding this correctly.

The first thing we need to notice is that Paul was quoting from Proverbs.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

So Paul didn’t come up with this on his own. But how did he apply it in his context, and how are we to apply it?

Two ideas have been promoted: It is either a way to shame your enemy or a way to help your enemy. Which, however, is the best hermeneutical interpretation? We need an answer to this question if we want to know how to apply it in our own context.

Idea #1: It is a way to get revenge on your enemy

If I am nice to my enemy, the reasoning goes, he will feel guilt over his own malice, which will cause pain akin to dumping hot coals over his head. As he writhes in agony, I can secretly gloat, having surpassed his spiritual inferiority by piously taking the high road. In reality, although it looks like I am being nice to my enemy, I am actually trying to hurt him.

There does seem to be an Ancient Near Eastern practice of wishing for burning coals to scald the heads of one’s enemies. Even David once pined for this:

As for the head of those who surround me, let the evil of their lips cover them; let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again. (Psalms 140:9-10)

However, we need to consider context. In Romans, Paul was not discussing the best way to get revenge—actually, quite the opposite. Let’s back up a few verses to get a better idea of his context.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19)

That certainly does not seem to be granting permission to dump the flaming embers of shame on my enemy. If someone hurts me, I am supposed to let it go, doing my best to develop a peaceful relationship with that person. When someone hurts me, I deserve it, but their wrong action is still a rebellion against God as their Creator. He is the only one who has the right to retaliate.

When we consider the whole context, it does not seem like Paul is telling them to be “hypocritically nice” so they can get revenge. So, maybe we should consider the second way to interpret this bizarre statement.

Idea #2: It is a way to help your enemy

While we have limited historical understanding of the practice of heaping coals on the heads of a person, there does seem to be some indication that people put coals on their heads for healing or as a sign of repentance (possibly linked with the biblical practice of sitting in “sackcloth and ashes.” Additionally, they may have carried coals on their heads as a gift to the poor who could not find or afford firewood. We could also envision a pauper foraging for leftover embers to take home, carrying them on their head. If we were to come along and assist in heaping the coals on their head, they would be able to carry much more.

Whatever this phrase describes, one thing seems certain: it was the result of treating an enemy not as an enemy, but as a friend. And when we do that, something strange happens—we begin to lose enemies and gain friends.

In both passages (Romans and Proverbs), the context is doing something unexpected. When we would be expected to retaliate, we act in kindness.

In verse 21, Paul sums it up once again:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

It seems to me that feigning amiability to torture another person with guilt cannot be described as overcoming evil with good, but being overcome by evil as I join my enemy in the battle of hate.

So, what does it mean to heap coals of fire on our enemy’s head? The answer is that we cannot be too sure about the specific practice to which this phrase refers. However, it does not really matter. After all, the action we are supposed to follow is giving food and water to our enemy. The result (not the command) is that coals of fire will be heaped on his head.

We just need to put aside our feelings, treat our enemies with love, and let God do the heaping.