Paul wrote: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14-21)

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul makes his own one of Jesus’ best known teachings—loving one’s enemies (cf. Matt 5:43ff, Luke 6:27ff). Like Jesus, Paul asks for an attitude of kindness to all, an attitude that goes to the point of wishing good to those who wish us ill: “Bless those who persecute you” (v.14).

This kindness is made concrete through sharing the joys and sorrows of others: “Rejoice with those who rejoice...” (v.15). This reminds us of Paul’s own example, who says of himself: “I have become all things to all” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

In the wake of the Book of Proverbs, Paul asks his hearers not to render evil for evil (v.17), demonstrates great realism by encouraging them to live in peace with everyone as much as possible (v. 18), and invites them not to attempt to do justice in God’s place (v.19).

In the teaching of Jesus, love of enemies is first described from the perspective of one who loves. It consists in following the example of God himself, looking for nothing in return and not discriminating between people. Here, Paul emphasizes another aspect, a kind of finality of this love: “…you will heap burning coals on their head” (v.20).

At first sight the image seems to have something violent about it, as if by our love we wanted to ensure that the other person receives well-deserved retribution from God. But perhaps the image indicates instead the hope that the good done to the other might perturb them intensely, burning within them so that they change, something like the proposal of Jesus “to turn the other cheek” or “to go the extra mile” with one’s opponent to incite them to review their behavior (see Matt 5:39-41). This is confirmed by the rest of the text, which shows that the true purpose of love is to overcome evil with good.

Paul asserts that those who practice love of enemies are not only made “perfect” as the Gospel of Matthew says, but also help to overcome enmity with love, by following Jesus, who himself set the example by his death on the cross.

 How do I react when someone wants to hurt me?

 How can I share the joys and sorrows of those around me?

 What example can I give of a situation where the good done to another triumphed over evil?