Romans 12:19-20

Romans 12:19-20. Dearly beloved So he softens the rugged spirit; avenge not yourselves On those that have injured you, whatever wrongs you may receive; but rather give place unto wrath Yield to the wrath of the enemy: for it is written, Vengeance is mine It properly belongs to me; and I will repay The deserved punishment; saith the Lord Or perhaps the original expression, δοτε τοπον τη οργη , might be more properly rendered, leave room for wrath; that is, the wrath of God, to whom vengeance properly belongs. “This precept,” says Macknight, “is founded, as in religion, so in right reason, and in the good of society. For he who avenges himself, making himself accuser, and judge, and executioner, all in one person, runs a great hazard of injuring both himself and others, by acting improperly, through the influence of passion.” Therefore Instead of bearing any thoughts of hurting them that abuse you, however unkindly and unjustly; if thine enemy hunger, feed him

Even with your own hand: yea, if it be needful, put bread into his mouth: if he thirst, &c. That is, on the whole, do him all the good in thy power: for in so doing As Solomon urges, (Proverbs 25:21,) thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head Thou wilt touch him so sensibly, that he will no more be able to stand against such a conduct, than to bear on his head burning coals; but will rather submit to seek thy friendship, and endeavour, by future kindness, to overbalance the injury. “The metaphor is supposed to be taken from the melting of metals, by covering the ore with burning coals. Thus understood, the meaning will be, In so doing, thou wilt mollify thine enemy, and bring him to a good temper. This, no doubt, is the best method of treating enemies: for it belongs to God to punish the injurious, but to the injured to overcome them, by returning good for evil.

“So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head:

In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And, pure from dross, the silver runs below.”

That the expression is used here in this sense, seems evident from the following verse, where we are commanded to overcome evil with good.