Deeper Reflection
We continue with Paul’s third and fourth sets of “do not…but instead…” exhortations towards genuine love even for our enemies.Third, do not take revenge, but instead leave vengeance to God (v.19) and help your enemy (v.20). The Old Testament prohibition of vengeance applied largely to relationships within the faith community.²⁵ But here, Paul cites Deuteronomy 32:35 and applies it beyond the church, calling us to show kindness even to our enemies, modelling Jesus’ revolutionary ethic of love.²⁶ To heap burning coals on your enemy’s head²⁷ might refer to an Egyptian ritual in which a person carried a pan of burning charcoal on his head to purge sin. Helping your enemy aims to move him to repentance — to heal, not hurt him.²⁸Finally, do not be overcome by evil, but instead overcome evil with good (v.21). This consummates Paul’s argument and returns us to Romans 12:9 (genuine love pursues good and avoids evil). If we curse (Rom 12:14), retaliate (Rom 12:17) or take revenge (v.19), then, having adopted evil responses to evil, we become defeated by evil. However, if we bless our persecutors (Rom 12:14), make peace (Rom 12:18), leave vengeance to God (v.19) and help our enemy (v.20), then we have vanquished evil with good (v.21).²⁹When we are moved by God’s mercies and offer our lives to God, and our minds are renewed by His Word (Rom 12:1-2), our relationships become transformed. Christ’s love compels us to love God together, love one another within the church, and love others outside the church together. That is what a church that is acting in love together would look like.

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²⁵ Leviticus 19:18a; 2 Chronicles 28:8-15; Proverbs 20:22; 24:29 ²⁶ Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 787 ²⁷ See also Proverbs 25:21-22 ²⁸ John A. Witmer, “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 490 ²⁹ John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 337.