Bible Discussion Thread

Reference Romans 12: 20b

It seems the "heap coals of fire on his head" means to get someone's attention. In this way, your actions have gotten an enemy's attention with the possibility of a positive and beneficial outcome. Just seems like and old saying or proverb like hope for the best, prepare for the worst or the devil is a squirrel. (German saying about squirrel.)

Adam Young,

Romans 12:20 comes from Proverbs 25:21-22. Romans 12:9-21 should be taken together and this section has to do with participation in our interaction with others. It gives us 13 precepts of love. The principle is given to us in Romans 12:9 which says, let love be without dissimulation. What in the world is that?

First of all, notice that the word "Let" is in italics. So we can scratch that. There's no command here. And the word dissimulation is the old English word for hypocrisy. There are only three words here, Love without hypocrisy. That's all it says. It's a statement of fact. Love is without hypocrisy.

And the Greek word for hypocrisy (HUPOCRISIS) is a word for an actor who is speaking according to the script. So, love doesn't have hypocrisy in it at all. There's no acting in love. You're either the real thing or you're not. You either have Christ in you or you don't. Love, (Agape love) is without hypocrisy. There's no acting. It's the real thing!

So when you get down to Romans 12:20, it says, "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

Have you ever had an enemy, someone that just hated you, maybe in school? And every time they needed something, can you imagine what their reaction would be when every time they needed something, you helped them out! They say, "Yeah, but I can't stand you and I treat you terrible every time I see you." But you say, That's okay! Do you need some water?" You can just see the steam from the coals!