Romans 12:20 (ASV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

Romans 12:19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.

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.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "thine", "enemy", "hunger", "feed", "thirst", "give", "drink", and "doing". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "thine" and "enemy", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "Avenge not yourselves beloved but give place..." into verse 21's "Be not overcome of evil but overcome...", so "thine" and "enemy" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "thine" and "enemy" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.