What does the expression "heap burning coals upon his head" in Romans 12.20 mean?

Paul almost appears to be telling the Church at Rome to get their own back by doing something good. This is a quotation from Proverbs 25.21 where it says if you heap coals of fire on your enemy the Lord will reward you.

F.F.Bruce says that "the original force of the admonition may have been 'Treat your enemy kindly, for that will increase his guilt; you will then ensure for him a more terrible judgment, and for yourself a better reward'. An alternative view is that the proverb refers to an Egyptian ritual in which a man gave public evidence of his penitence by carrying a pan of burning charcoal on his head. In any case, by placing the proverb in this context and omitting the last clause, Paul gives it a nobler meaning: 'Treat your enemy kindly, for this may make him ashamed and lead to his repentance.' In other words, the best way to get rid of an enemy is to turn him into a friend, and so 'overcome evil with good' (verse 21). (1)

Agar Beet says that 'coals of fire' is "an Eastern metaphor for severe and overwhelming punishment. We cannot punish a man who is doing us harm more severely than by trying to do him good: and this kind of punishment is the most likely to lead him to repentance and salvation." (2)

H.C.G.Moule gives three possible explanations: "(1) of burning shame produced by requital of good for evil; (2) of the melting of the evil-doer's heart by such conduct, as of metal by fire; (3) of the result of a spirit of love as producing at length the 'incense' of prayer and praise (as from a censor of coals) from the conquered heart."(3)

William Barclay agrees with the first of these; "Vengeance may break his spirit; but kindness will break his heart. 'If we are kind to our enemies,' says Paul, 'it will heap coals of fire on their heads.' That means, not that it will store up further punishment for them, but that it will, as we ourselves say, move them to burning shame."(4) With this last phrase Moffatt's translation also agrees.

Schonfield translates "for by so doing you will fill him with remorse."

Campbell Morgan has a final exhortation for the whole passage "How often are we tempted to say with a sigh of relief, Yes thank God, vengeance does belong to the Lord! Thus although active reprisals are prevented, the heart rejoices in the thought that at last the punishment of God will be meted out to the wrong-doer. This thought is entirely out of harmony with the will of God for His child, and therefore the believer is called to such action as will demonstrate the existence of true and unfeigned love. The hungry man is to be fed and the thirsty one supplied with water." (5)

We cannot study this passage without reference to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5. 38-48. The reason that we must not retaliate, must not even have it in our heart to want any kind of vengeance, is because we are to be like our Father in Heaven.

During the second world war a Christian couple who were pacifists lived next door to a very patriotic family. In the first year or so of hostilities the elderly father of this family was particularly abusive and unkind towards the Conscientious Objectors. Then one night a bomb fell on the land between the neighbours and the patriots' home was partly demolished. Homeless they were grateful to be received into the 'home next door' where they appreciated refreshment and rest as the air-raid continued. Next morning, those same neighbours who had been so abused sorted out clothing and found accommodation for the old couple. The middle aged daughter shed tears as she turned to her neighbour and said "Now I know what kind of Christianity yours is".

DN

(1)Tyndale NT Commentaries IVP 1974

(2)A commentary on St.Paul's Epistle to the Romans, H & S 1900

(3) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, CUP 1892

(4)Daily Study Bible; the Letter to the Romans St.Andrews Press 1972

(5) The Analysed Bible, the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans H & S 1909