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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Romans 12:20

Feed him

(ψωμιζε αυτον). Quotation from LXX text of Proverbs 25:21. Present active imperative of verb from ψωμος, a morsel, and so to feed crumbs to babies, then to feed in general. In N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 13:3.Thou shalt heap

(σωρευσεις). Future active of old verb σωρευω from σωρος, a heap. In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 3:6.Coals of fire

(ανθρακας πυρος). That is, burning or live coals.Anthrax

(our "anthracite") is an old word, only here in N.T. It is a metaphor for keen anguish. The Arabs have a proverb "coals in the heart," "fire in the liver." Such kindness may lead to repentance also.

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See also Romans 12:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Romans 12:20. _IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM_] Do not withhold from any man the offices of mercy and kindness; _you_ have been God's enemy, and yet God fed, clothed, and preserved you alive:...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEREFORE, IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER ... - This verse is taken almost literally from Proverbs 25:21. Hunger and thirst here are put for want in general. If thine enemy is needy in any way, do him good, an...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. EXHORTATIONS AND THE CONCLUSION. Chapter s 12-16. CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The Body as a Willing Sacrifice. (Romans 12:1 .)_ 2. Service. (Romans 12:3 .) 3. The Daily Walk in Holiness. (Romans 12:9 .)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    IN THE CHRISTIAN TEMPER, _modesty_ is the first desideratum. Romans 12:3. I tell everyone that is among you not _to_ be high-minded above a right mind, but to be of a mind to be sober-minded (Sp.). Th...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Bless those who persecute you; bless them and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Keep your thoughts from pride; and neve...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE TRUE WORSHIP AND THE ESSENTIAL CHANGE (Romans 12:1-2)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IF, IF. App-118. FEED. Greek. _psomizo._ Only here and 1 Corinthians 13:3. The noun only in John 13:26; John 13:27. DRINK. to drink. HEAP. Greek. _soreuo._ Only here and...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Therefore if thine enemy_, &c. Here again is an O. T. quotation, (Proverbs 25:21-22; nearly verbatim with LXX.,) introduced by the Apostle's "_therefore_," as a practical inference from the previous...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    F. 12–15:13. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL SEEN IN ITS EFFECT UPON BOTH THE COMMON AND THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE OF CHRISTIANS. In this section S. Paul deals with the consequences of the principles he has worked...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘᾺΝ ΠΕΙΝΑ͂Ι Κ.Τ.Λ. Proverbs 25:21; for ΨΏΜΙΖΕ cf. 1 Corinthians 13:3. ἄνθρακας πυρὸς κ.τ.λ. The context in Prov. and here forbids us to take this as a symbol of mere punishment or vengeance. The ‘coal...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    10–21. Note the remarkable coordination of participles, adjectives, infinitives (15), and imperatives. All should be translated by the imperative; cf. Moulton, pp. 180 f., 222; cf. 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Pet...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΕΙΝΆ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΠΕΊΝΩ (G3983) быть голодным, ΨΏΜΙΖΕ _praes. imper. act. от_ ΨΩΜΊΖΩ (G5595) питать, давать кусочек; кормить вообще (AS), ΔΙΨΆ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΔΙΨΆΩ (G1372) жаждать...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THOU SHALT HEAP, &C,— The sense cannot be, _thou shalt consume him_ and bring judgments upon him; for that would be applying to revenge, and building upon it, while it is most expressly forbidden. It...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _TEXT_ Romans 12:17-21. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. Ro...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. THEREFORE - or, 'But' (according to a well-supported reading) I...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ The Conduct of the Saints 14 The conduct of the saints in any given economy is based on God's dispensation. If He dispenses law, He requires conduct in accord with law. Mercy calls for a higher s...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    12:20 head. (g-27) See Proverbs 25:21-22 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PARAPHRASE. '(1) God's redeeming love should be answered by the true sacrifice and spiritual ritual service of a life of purity and self-denial and work for God. (2) Do not follow the fashions and cus...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    From Proverbs 25:21. COALS OF FIRE] i.e. melt him into shame, as a furnace melts metals....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    PAUL’S LETTER TO THE *ROMANS ROMANS _HILDA BRIGHT AND KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 12 TRUE *WORSHIP 12:1-2 V1 *Brothers and *sisters, God has shown you his kindness. Therefore I am appealing to you. Of...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (9-21) Now follow to the end of the chapter a number of general exhortations, not addressed to particular persons or classes, but to the Church at large....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE. — Comp. Psalms 18:12, where the phrase “coals of fire” is used of the divine vengeance. So here, but in a strictly metaphorical sense, it means, “Thou shalt take the bes...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 26 CHRISTIAN DUTY: DETAILS OF PERSONAL CONDUCT Romans 12:8 ST. PAUL has set before us the life of surrender, of the "giving over" of faculty to God, in one great preliminary aspect. The fair...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    As far as any single idea pervades the rest of the chapter it is that of the first words in Romans 12:9 : ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. The passage as a whole has a strong affinity to 1 Corinthians 13, and alo...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    ἀλλὰ : On the contrary, as opposed to self-avenging, and even to the merely passive resignation of one's case to God. ἐὰν πεινᾷ κ. τ. λ. Proverbs 25:21 f. exactly as in LXX. The meaning of “heaping bu...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN Romans 12:9 In this section the Apostle shows how the great principle of consecration must affect the details of conduct. It is most necessary to insist on these practical issue...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The word "therefore" links all that is now to be said with everything that has gone before. Because of the grace of God, the believer is called to certain attitudes and actions. The very first of thes...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap (y) coals of fire on his head. (y) In this manner Solomon points out the wrath of God which ha...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. This figurative way of speaking is differently expounded. Some say, inasmuch as by this means thou shalt make him liable to greater punishments from God. Ot...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good._ ” The con...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    The χαρίσματα, _gifts_, are different, as we have just seen. But there is a gift which is at the root of all the rest, and which ought to be common to all believers, that of all those who have no othe...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    TWENTY-FIFTH PASSAGE (12:3-21). THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. The notion of consecration is still the prevailing one in this passage. This consecration is realized in life: 1st,...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirs...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The circumstances under which the epistle to the Romans was written gave occasion to the most thorough and comprehensive unfolding, not of the church, but of Christianity. No apostle had ever yet visi...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._If therefore, etc. _He now shows how we may really fulfill the precepts of not revenging and of not repaying evil, even when we not only abstain from doing injury but when we also do good to those...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle resumes the thread of his instructions, by taking up as he does in all his epistles the moral consequences of his doctrine. He places the believer at the outset on the ground of God's merc...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEREFORE IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM,.... These words are taken from Proverbs 25:21, and to be understood, as a Jewish o writer observes, כמשמעו, according to "their literal sense"; though some o...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Ver. 20. _Thou shalt heap_] Thou shalt melt him, and make him thy f...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _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...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    FEED HIM-GIVE HIM DRINK; treat him kindly, do him good, and when he is needy supply his wants. Proverbs 25:21-22; MATTHEW 5:44. HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD; which will be adapted to melt him into...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THEREFORE, IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM; IF HE THIRST, GIVE HIM DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING, THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Christian's relation to his enemies:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    PRACTICAL RESPONSE IN BELIEVERS Now Paul has completed his treatment of the subject of God's counsel in reference to salvation - counsel accomplished by a hand of mercy. What then is to be the proper...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    Therefore: GRAND CONCLUSION OF THE CHAPTER - - Enemy hungry? Feed him. Enemy thirsty? Give him a drink. Heap coals of fire on his head. MEANS: Your kindness will bring him to a burning sense of sha...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    __ Romans 12:20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 'but' -instead of taking vengeance. Simply to forbe...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    17-21 Since men became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose smiles seldom agree w...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM; IF HE THIRST, GIVE HIM DRINK: q.d. Instead of rendering evil for evil to thine adversary, do him good for evil: see following verse. THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON H...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    But [instead of avenging] _if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head_. [Quoted from Proverbs 25:21-22 LXX., where th...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Romans 12:20 Therefore G3767 If G1437 your G4675 enemy G2190 hungry G3983 (G5725) feed G5595 (G5720) him...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    A CALL TO MAKE REAL IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED (12:1-15:33). This section moves from the indicative to the imperative. Having outlined the ways of God i...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “But if your enemy hungers, feed him, if he thirsts, give him to drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” These words are based on Proverbs 25:21, and the first part is certain...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    A CALL TO FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST AND OF THE SCRIPTURES. THE WORKING OUT OF LOVE (12:9-21). Having dealt with what was necessary for the edifying and upbuilding of the body of Christ, Paul now turns...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Romans 12:20. BUT, _i.e.,_ ‘on the contrary,' ‘nay rather' (Alford). The authorities present several variations; but the oldest manuscripts and more recent editors accept ‘but.' IF THINE ENEMY, etc....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2. _Exhortation for all Christians_, _in their Personal Relations_, _from Love of the Brethren to returning Good for Evil._ All the precepts of this section are based upon Christian love (Romans 12:9)...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christian life and service. Consecration to Christ. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Paul. CONCLUSION: Since we have been justified through grace, by faith in Christ, it is our first duty to surren...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Romans 12:1. _I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God._ Under the form of entreaty he now tenderly exhorts them, in return for all the glory of redeeming love, to present their bodies...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    INSTEAD, AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS. Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22 Septuagint. Compare 2 Kings 6:22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28. A Christi

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath._ AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES The prohibition urged by such considerations as-- 1. Our own peace and happiness. There is nothing so wretched as the...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 12:20 BURNING COALS. See Proverbs 25:21. Most interpreters think Paul is teaching that Christians must do good to people so that the othe

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:20.—Here are figurative expressions for the general duties of benevolence. Romans 12:21.—He is conquered by evil who wishes another to sin. He has sinned himself who strive...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION VER. 1–CH. 14:23 III. HORTATORY. It is St. Paul's way to supplement his doctrinal treatises with detailed practical directions as to the conduct that should of necessity ensue on belief in...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    I beseech you therefore, brethren (Romans 12:1), Because God has grafted you in, because you are partaking of the fullness of that good tree. I beseech thee, because of these things, that ye present...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Samuel 24:16; 1 Samuel 26:21; Exodus 23:4; Exodus 23:5; Matthew 5:44

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Feed [ψ ω μ ι ζ ε]. See on sop, John 13:26. The citation from Proverbs 25:21; Proverbs 25:22, closely follows both Hebrew and Septuagint. Shalt heap [σ ω ρ ε υ σ ε ι ς]. Only here and...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Feed him — With your own hand: if it be needful, even put bread into his mouth. Heap coals of fire upon his head — That part which is most sensible. "So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heapin...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    As if the apostle had said, "Instead of revenge, render kindness; return courtesies for injuries, affability for affronts: IF THY ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM." The words, as some critics observe, signify t...

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Old Testament