This post is about understanding the Biblical significance of heaping burning coals on someone’s head. The meaning behind the phrase “heaping burning coals on your head” in the Bible is often misunderstood, but it is important to understand its significance correctly.
In the Old Testament it is written:
Proverbs 25:21-22 – If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Is heaping burning coals on someone’s head, a positive statement or a negative one? The Apostle Paul repeats this in the New Testament:
Romans 12:14-18 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Paul adds further insight to this saying by explaining that we must not repay evil for evil, a principle also supported numerous times in the Bible.
Luke 6:27-28 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:32-33 – “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:35-36 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
1 Corinthians 4:12-13 – We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
1 Peter 3:9-14 – Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
It is God who will avenge us. Although we bless those who curse us, God does not. He curses those who curse us.
Genesis 27:29 – Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
Genesis 12:3 – I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Exodus 23:22 – “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
Numbers 24:9 – He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”
The Meaning of Heaping Burning Coals: Leaving Room For God’s Vengeance
We must bless those who curse and revile us. God will avenge us if we do not avenge ourselves.
Cont’d Romans 12:19 – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
This is a key verse that gives context to Paul’s interpretation to the saying “pour heaping coals on their head”. Paul is stating not to avenge ourselves, but rather do good to those who curse and revile us. Thus, leaving room for God himself, to avenge us by punishing them, himself.
Proverbs 20:22 – Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
In order for God’s vengeance to take place, we must not incur any sin in the situation by doing anything revenge orientated and malicious. Rather, we should resist doing any evil to our enemy in any way we can, and ensure we are sinless in the situation so God can act on our behalf.
Cont’d Romans 12:20-21 – To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul is stating, that by the good we do to those who revile us, they are put to shame:
1 Peter 3:16-17 – having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Titus 2:8 – and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
1 Peter 2:15 – For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:12 – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Disapproval For Persecuting The Righteous
It is important to remember that anyone who reviles or condemns the righteous is an abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 17:15 – He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Those who revile the righteous shall either be put to shame and repent during this life. Or be punished with the everlasting punishment of God’s eternal anger against them in the age to come. This is the ‘burning coals’ that Paul is referring to; God’s eternal anger.
Matthew 25:41 – Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.
Matthew 25:46 – Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Daniel 12:2 – Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
John 5:29 – …and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Paul speaks of this concept further:
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 – For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Peter also speaks of this:
1 Peter 4:1-6 – Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Those who abuse the true followers of Christ shall be judged by God. This abuse must not be returned by true believers. A true follower of Christ must love his enemy. In doing this, God will judge the ungodly.
1 Peter 4:7-9 – The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:17-19 – For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
True followers of Christ, are meant to live their lives according to the teachings of Christ and not the world. But due to this, people from the world will persecute true believers.
Matthew 10:22 – You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:9 – Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
John 15:18-19 – If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 7:7 – The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
Proverbs 29:27 – The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
In return, true followers of Jesus must not strike back and take revenge of any kind:
1 Peter 2:1, 11-12, 15, 19-23 – Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Embracing Trials and Persecution
Persecution is inevitable if we wish to speak the truth and lead a Godly life.
2 Timothy 3:12 – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
John 15:20 – Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Acts 14:22 – strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
We are not to be surprised at these trials and persecutions.
James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 4:12-16 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:19 – Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Instead, we are meant to leap for joy when we are persecuted for righteousness sake.
Luke 6:22-23 – “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets
Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Apostles obeyed Jesus’ teachings on this subject:
Acts 5:40-42 – and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
This concept can be found in the Old Testament as well:
Isaiah 51:7 – “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.
By choosing not to take revenge and finding joy in times of persecution instead, we avoid committing sin. By not taking revenge, we leave room for God’s wrath to take action. Thus, we can conclude that the phrase “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” should not be seen as a positive action, but rather as a form of punishment by God’s wrath.
Psalm 11:2, 5 & 6 – For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart…
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
Psalms 140 – Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah 4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. 5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah 6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! 7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah 9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Psalm 120 – In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Burning Coals Is A Form Of Punishment
Never in the Bible is burning coals used in a positive light.
Psalms 18:3,6,8 & 12-15 – I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies… 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears…8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it…12 Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
Exodus 9:23 – Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
Joshua 10:11 – And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
Genesis 19:24 – Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven.
Numbers 16:35 – And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
2 Kings 1:9-10 – Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
This can also be found in the New Testament.
Luke 9:54-56 – And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
From this passage, we can see that the disciples did not understand the concept of not doing evil to one’s enemy. They asked God to bring calamity and eternal punishment on others. Jesus rebukes the disciples for thinking this way and explains to them that they are not acting in the manner of God’s spirit. They failed to realize what many of us also don’t understand. That we must be sinless in our actions. Our acts of kindness towards our enemies will either evoke feelings of shame, guilt and repentance, or it will inevitably ensure eternal punishment on them (fire from heaven).
Loving Our Enemy
God will always punish those who revile the righteous.
Deuteronomy 32:35 – Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
At the same time, we must not rejoice in the calamity that God will inevitably bring due to their unrepentance.
Proverbs 24:17-18 – Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
Job 31:29-30 – “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him 30 (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),
Proverbs 17:5 – Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Obidiah 1:12 – But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
The point to this is, that by hating our enemy, we incur sin in rejoicing in his calamity. By rejoicing in our enemies’ calamity, we are sinning since this is hate. We are not to hate and this concept can be found in the Old Testament:
Leviticus 19:17 – “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
It is also found in the New Testament. On the contrary, we must love our enemy:
Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:35 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:26 – Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Matthew 5:38-39 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
In conclusion, some sources may cite the meaning of “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” as a positive notion. However, as Christians, we must extract the biblical meaning of “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” from scripture. According to scripture, this phrase is meant to be used to describe a form of punishment and shame.
There will always be false teachers and believers who are more loyal to their denominations, like the Pharisees and Sadducees were. These denominationally minded groups were the ones who persecuted Jesus and the first century church. Paul states that even in the Gentile churches, the same thing is happening with them. The true followers of Christ are being persecuted by denominationally minded people. And the same rings true even today. The true followers of Christ, who do not subscribe to or adhere to man-made denominational traditions, concepts and beliefs are persecuted, isolated and rejected.
Through heaping their sins, they are heaping on themselves shame and punishment. As Christians, we are called to love our enemies and not seek revenge. If we respond to those who revile and persecute us with kindness and love, we can trust that God will ultimately avenge us. Let us strive to live by this principle and trust in the justice of God.
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