Heap Burning Coals?

Last night in our Bible Study, we had a discussion about what Paul meant by the term "heap burning coals upon [an enemy's] head" in Romans 12:20. Obviously this is a metaphor, but what exactly does it refer to, and what does it mean? Two possibilities were offered up, one of which I'd never heard before. So I decided to look up the phrase and see what other commentaries and interpreters thought Paul was saying here.

The first thing I discovered was that Paul is borrowing the phrase (actually much of the surrounding passage) from Solomon - in Proverbs 25:21-22. So doubtless, this was referring to an ancient practice - almost 1000 years old even when Paul used the term.

The next thing I discovered is that no one agrees on what the phrase means - not entirely. Most people saw it as a good thing - or at most a bad thing which brings about good. Let me detail a few of the thoughts:

1. John Wesley (and others) believed that this referred to the practice of refining metal - that burning coals were heaped upon ore to refine them. In the same way, the "burning coals" of caring for our enemy would refine him. As Wesley put it (copying from Adam Clarke) "Heaping coals of fire upon its head: In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below."

2. Another common understanding is that by loving our enemies, we would cause them to feel the burning pain of shame and remorse - which would lead to a change in heart. One person last night put it this way: Kill them with kindness.

3. Another interpretation that was shared last night (and that I found again this morning) relies on the belief that in ancient times, women would often seek out coals from their neighbors to light their own fires that had gone out. They would carry these coals in a clay stove upon their head. So if someone were to give them a "heaping pile" this would be a very generous act - since a person really only needs one good coal to light a fire.

There are many other interpretations of this phrase, although most are simply other takes on the first two I've shared.

Personally, I'm not sure what real-life act inspired the metaphor, whether it was the pain of being burned, refining metal, or carrying live coals on a head to start a fire. Neither Solomon nor Paul explains this. But based on the context - I would say that "heaping burning coals" is not meant to be a punishment - it's not meant to be vengeance - but a way of showing love and hopefully effecting a change in the other person.

Whatever it is - I pray that no one ever has to do it to me!