COMMENTARY ON ROMANS 12:20,21
by Glenn Tompkins and others.
Ro 12:20 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.
It is most evident, from the whole connection of the place and the apostle's use of it, that the heaping of the coals of fire upon the head of the enemy is intended to produce not an evil, but the most beneficial effect; and the following verse is an additional proof of this.
Ro 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (KJV)
Some scholars take the opposite view: JFB in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head--As the heaping of "coals of fire" is in the Old Testament the figurative expression of divine vengeance (Ps 140:10; 11:6, &c.), the true sense of these words seems to be, "That will be the most effectual vengeance--a vengeance under which he will be fain to bend"
This is best understood by looking to the O.T. passage quoted. This is taken from Pr 25:21,22, which without doubt supplied the basis of those lofty precepts on that subject which form the culminating point of the Sermon on the Mount.
Pr 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
In many cultures where matches are not used, the fire to cook the families food has to be kept going. If it goes out, a member of the family must go to a neighbor for hot coals.
Likewise, in many countries, bags of rice, and jars of water are carried on the head. Not all, but some places a pan of hot coals on some padding may be carrried on the head.
To heap coals on someone's head is to do good by giving a neighbor a fresh start for the family cooking fire.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Trivia about synagogues
Trivia about synagogues. by Glenn Tompkins
Every synagogue in the world is built so the worshiping congregation is facing toward Jerusalem. In Bible times there was an exception. The ruins of the synagogue at Capernaum show that the congregation would be facing away from Jerusalem. Why? Because it was built by a Gentile, and given to the Jews. See Luke 7:1-10 Gentiles did not know the tradition.
Every synagogue in the world is built so the worshiping congregation is facing toward Jerusalem. In Bible times there was an exception. The ruins of the synagogue at Capernaum show that the congregation would be facing away from Jerusalem. Why? Because it was built by a Gentile, and given to the Jews. See Luke 7:1-10 Gentiles did not know the tradition.
Friday, January 29, 2010
What is a Christian?
A basic outline
SALVATION
Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ac 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Ac 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1Co 15:3,4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
CHRISTIAN LIVING
Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Ti 5:22 keep thyself pure.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ps 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
A PRAYER FOR PURITY
Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(KJV)
Compiled by Glenn Tompkins for Senior Inspirations group. Sparta, TN Jan. 28, 2010
SALVATION
Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ac 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Ac 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1Co 15:3,4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
CHRISTIAN LIVING
Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Ti 5:22 keep thyself pure.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ps 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
A PRAYER FOR PURITY
Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(KJV)
Compiled by Glenn Tompkins for Senior Inspirations group. Sparta, TN Jan. 28, 2010
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