Romans 12:9–21

Verse 9. The apostle does not here prohibit that defence, by which a person, either by word or action, preserves himself from injury. This he could not condemn, since he had so often recourse to it himself, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles: and in the second to Timothy, he writes: “In my first defence no one was with me.” Be he only forbids that revenge which a person takes of his neighbour, by private means, without having recourse to legal authority. Estius.

Verse 13. Communicating [2] to the necessities of the saints. Making them partakers of what you have, by relieving them. Witham.

Verse 16. Condescending to the humble, in the spirit of charity and sweetness. See Luke 2:48. Witham.

Verse 18. If it be possible, … have peace with all. That is, if it can be without prejudice to truth or justice, and so forth And even when others wrong you, seek not to revenge yourselves, but leave your cause to God. Do good offices even to those that do evil to you. Witham.

Verse 19. Give place to wrath. That we do, says Saint John Chrysostom when we leave all to God, and endeavour to return good for evil. Witham.

Verse 20. 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. Others, as Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine by coals of fire, understand kindnesses and benefits, which shall touch the heart, and inflame the affections even of thy enemies, which shall make them sorry for what they have done, and become thy friends. Witham.

Verse 21. This is the apostle’s conclusion of the foregoing instructions. Be not overcome by the malice of thy enemy, so as to wish to revenge thyself, without leaving all to the just judgment of God; but overcome his malice by thy kindness. This is complied with, when upon occasion of injuries received we always make a return of kindness, and in proportion as the malice of our enemies increases, our spirit of benevolence should also increase. Estius.