Coals of Fire

Looking a Romans chapter twelve I found the following verses of interest.

Before I looked closer at this scripture, I always felt that it was saying that by doing nice things to your enemies, that it would heap coals on their head. As in the sense of it bothering (torturing) them by our good treatment of them, in essence, getting back at them through being nice.

But of course it has a deeper meaning I have missed all along. That our purpose in heaping coals on their heads is in hope of saving them, not condemning them, through fire.


Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.
Rom 12:19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Rom 12:20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We feed and give water to our enemies. That food and water is Jesus, and the good works of the fruitage of the Holy Spirit. By doing this we preach the gospel of Jesus. Jesus not only baptizes in Spirit, but also with fire. By heaping coals upon their heads we are in hope of them being cleansed by fire.


1Co 3:15 If anyone's work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

So our hopes is that they will be saved by fire. And the more we reflect Jesus in how we treat them, not returning evil for evil, and being peacable, the more coals we heap upon their heads in hopes of the good overcoming the evil.