The word “repay” translates the Greek word “apodidómi.” It is a compound word from “apó” (which means “from“) and “dídōmi” (which means “give“) – that is, give from, i.e. to return to someone from what they have given you. It refers to recompense or pay back, to requite (retaliate).
The word “evil” is “kakos” in the Greek. It means “wickedness, malice, wrongs, harm.” So, Paul is saying don’t pay back wickedness for wickedness.
“…Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
That phrase “have regard” is “pronoeó” in the Greek. It is a compound word from “pró” (which means “before“) and “noiéō” (“think“). It means to “to consider in advance, i.e. Look out for carefully beforehand, to have thought about, think on.” It refers to one’s judgment, how he thinks and sees things, what he has regard for. This will show in his actions.
The phrase “good things” is “kalos” in the Greek. It refers to what is noble, praiseworthy.
The phrase “in the sight” is “enópios.” It means “in the presence of.”
So, instead paying back wickedness for wickedness, we are to think on doing good instead in the sight of all.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
The word “possible” is “dunatos” in the Greek. It means “what your power can do.” That is, as much as lies within your power and control, live peaceably with all men.
The phrase “live peaceably” is “eiréneuó” in the Greek. It is derived from another word in the Greek “eirḗnē” (which means “peace“).
“Eiréneuó” means to cultivate an habit of harmony, to live in harmony with others. It was used three other times in the New Testament:
Mark 9:50 (NKJV)
50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and HAVE PEACE with one another.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV)
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, LIVE IN PEACE; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NKJV)
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. BE AT PEACE among yourselves.
Back to Romans 12, now verse 19:
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
He says “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves”
Actually the Greek says: “NEVER avenge yourself.” Very strong words.
The word “avenge” is “ekdikeó” in the Greek. It means “to vindicate (deliver), protect or defend.” The same word was used in Luke 18:3
Luke 18:3 (NKJV)
3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘GET JUSTICE for me from my adversary.’
So it is used for delivering those who are being oppressed. It can also be used in the negative sense, to retaliate or revenge. Apparently, Paul uses it in the negative sense here: “Never revenge for yourself. Don’t retaliate.”
He says: “but rather give place to wrath”
Now, this phrase has been subject to several fanciful interpretations down the years:
1) The first interpretation
Some say what it means is “give God’s wrath an opportunity to fight for you.” So don’t fight, give God’s wrath “space” so He can fight/destroy for you.
2) The second interpretation
Others say “give place to wrath” means “Allow wrath to come to you, do not fight it when your enemies do evil to you, turn the other cheek. Give place to wrath.”
So the question now is: Whose wrath is Paul referring to here? God’s wrath or my enemies?
A VERY close look would reveal that Paul is referring to neither! The wrath there is YOURS!
“…give place to wrath”
That word “give” is “dídōmi” in the Greek. Here (Rom. 12:19), it means to put or make.
The word “place” is “topos” in the Greek. It was used for boundaries, an unclosed piece of land or space. Observe its usage in Acts 28:7;
Acts 28:7 (NKJV)
7 In that REGION (topos) there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
It is used for boundaries, where what is inside can’t get out. Like the boundaries of the sea for example, the sea shore. The waters are restricted from proceeding to land. They can only go so far!
So what is Paul saying? Simple:
Put restrictions and boundaries on your wrath.
That’s what “give place to wrath” means!
He says something similar in Ephesians 4:26:
Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV)
26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR WRATH,
Now, he is not saying you can can be angry till sunset. This a FIGURE OF SPEECH. The sunset marked the end of the previous day in the Jewish calendar. He is simply saying “Don’t take your anger with you into a new day.” That is, restrict your wrath! Same thing Paul says in Romans 12:19:
“give place to wrath” means “put boundaries/territories around your anger.” Don’t let it control you so much that you revenge! Don’t brood over anger. You must come to a point where you say to your anger “No more! That’s enough.” Place boundaries around your wrath. That’s what Paul is saying in Ephesians 4:26.
Now, back to Romans 12:19.
Then he says:
“…for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Knowing that God is ONLY ever good and He does not destroy, this text can therefore not be interpreted as God saying He will revenge on our behalf. God’s nature is consistent. He won’t ask you not to revenge while He does. Going back to the Greek will help.
The word “vengeance” is “ekdikésis.” It means “a defense, vindication (to deliver).” It is not destructive HERE. It refers to a deliverance. So the text can be read as “Deliverance is Mine”
Then He says “I will repay”
The word “repay” is “antapodidómi” in the Greek. It means “to repay, reward.” Observe its usage in the following texts:
Luke 14:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot REPAY you; for you shall be REPAID at the resurrection of the just.”
Used positively for rewards of good deed.
1 Thessalonians 3:9 (NKJV)
9 For what thanks can we RENDER to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
Here, it is used for rendering praises to God (positive as well)
So, what is Paul saying? Here’s a retranslation:
Beloved, NEVER retaliate. Rather put restrictions on your anger, for it is written:
“It is My job to deliver you from those who seek to destroy you (not yours) and I will reward you (for not retaliating)” says the Lord.
Imagine if the translators has done it this way, the thoughts would have been clearer. So, nothing here implies that you are not to retaliate so that God can destroy for you. In fact, it is the exact opposite.
Observe the next verse;
20 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.”
Note he is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22;
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NKJV)
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Notice that in the source text (Proverbs 25:22) “And the Lord will reward you” is present.
So Paul definitely had rewards in mind in Romans 12 vs. 19 (the word “repay” he used there shows it). God is repaying or rewarding the believer for walking in love, he is not repaying their enemies with destruction!
Now, he says:
Roman 12:20
20 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.”
The word “enemy” is that word “echthros” used for those who are hostile towards us and seek to harm us. Now, we have just ONE enemy, the devil. These men (called “enemy” here) are those whose minds he controls, hence their hostility. If we see such a one hungry, we are to feed him! The word “feed” is “psómizó” in the Greek. It literally means to spoon-feed. You put the food in their mouth! So you are to walk in love to them that much, if need be! Same with the phrase “give him a drink.” It is from the Greek word “potizó.” It means “to make to drink.” See how it is used:
Matthew 27:48 (NKJV)
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and OFFERED IT TO HIM TO DRINK.
You literally put it in their mouths. This is the height of walking in love — being this good to those who are hostile towards us!
Then he says: “…For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Notice he doesn’t say “Feed him SO THAT you will heap coals of fire on his head”
Rather, doing good to your enemy will have an effect EVENTUALLY — you will heap coals of fire on his head. Now, what does it mean to “heap coals of fire on his head“?
Remember that Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22, turn back there.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,And the Lord will reward you.
The word “coals” in Proverbs 25:22 is “gechel” in the Hebrew. It refers to “embers (smoldering/burning ashes).” That phrase “coals of fire” is synonymous with ashes and the Jews understood its significance.
It was also used in DIFFERENT contexts, so you cannot generalize its meaning everywhere:
1) It was sometimes used for Judgment, destruction and wrath
2 Samuel 2:28 (NKJV)
28 “Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry.9 Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth;COALS were kindled by it.
Psalm 11:6 (NKJV)
6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;Fire and brimstone and a burning windShall be the portion of their cup.
Now, this is a Jewish way of speaking (known as the permissive voice, which attributes EVERYTHING to God). In trying to describe how the wicked will be destroyed, David says “HE will rain coals.” But the Scriptures are clear that it is their sin destroying them, not God (see Rom. 5:12, 6:23)
So “coals of fire” were sometimes used for Judgment. Also in Psalm 140:10, an Imprecatory Psalm;
Psalm 140:10
10 Let burning coals fall upon them;Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
David is praying for Judgment on his enemies, and he uses “burning coals.”
2) “Coals of fire” were used by the priest for offerings at the Tabernacle.
Leviticus 16:12
12 Then he shall take a censer full of BURNING COALS OF FIRE from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of SWEET INCENSE beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.
3) Mostly importantly, “coals of fire” or “ashes” were used metaphorically for repentance or sorrow.
The Israelites heaped ashes on their heads as a sign of repentance or change of heart:
2 Samuel 13:19
19 Then Tamar PUT ASHES ON HER HEAD, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.
Job 42:6
6 Therefore I abhor myself,And repent in DUST AND ASHES.”
Jonah 3:3-6
3 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and SAT IN ASHES.
Do you see that? They used ashes to show repentance.
Matthew 11:21
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have REPENTED long ago IN SACKCLOTH AND ASHES.
Now, having seen the various implications of “coals of fire,” Romans 12:20 can now be explained:
20 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.”
This cannot be saying by doing good to your enemies, you are heaping Judgment on their head. While it is true that in SOME CONTEXTS, “coals of fire” can refer to Judgment, the question is: Was this the CONTEXT in which Paul used the phrase in Romans 12? The answer would be NO. Nothing in the text suggests that.
The word “heap” in Romans 12:20 is “sóreuó” in the Greek. It is used metaphorically here to mean “to overwhelm.”
The word “coals” here is “anthrax” in the Greek. It refers to burning charcoal or ashes.
As seen earlier, “coals of fire” or “ashes” on one’s head was used to show a deep feeling of remorse and repentance in the Jewish custom. The Jews actually borrowed this from Egypt. In Egypt, a person who was truly sorry for his wrongdoing would carry a dish filled with coals of fire on his head. Remember, the Jews lived in Egypt for 430 years during their slavery. So they assimilated this culture from the Egyptians — they too now began to use coals of fire as a symbol of repentance. The coals of fire were to show the passionate burning in the person’s heart, that he truly was sorry. The Jews likened extreme mental feelings to burning coals of the heart and fire in the liver.
That is what the Apostle Paul is saying in Romans 12:20, and the same thought Proverbs 25:21 had:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will overwhelm him with feelings of remorse.
Your kindness will melt his stony heart and he will readily repent. How we overcome evil is not with more evil, but with good!
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
So “coals of fire” here (Rom. 12:20) is not negative at all. It refers to feelings of repentance and deep remorse. Notice you don’t do good to your enemy SO THAT he will repent. But in doing good to him, you create an avenue for him to feel remorseful and hopefully change. That’s how God’s Word teaches us to “pay back” our enemies — with kindness not evil or destruction.
Paul says “Do not be overcome by evil”
In the Greek, that means “Do not let evil win or be victorious“! Rather prevail over evil with good. In doing good, you create an opportunity for the hostile fellow to see his wrongs and change!
(For a fuller discourse on this, listen to the sermon “Coals of Fire: How to pay back your enemies” by Pastor Josh Banks)
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2021.
