The authors of the Bible often used a technique called “framing,” where they placed similar statements at the beginning and end of a passage to highlight the importance of the message in between.
This method draws attention to the core ideas in the middle of the discussion. In Romans 12:17-21, Paul employs this framing technique. He begins and ends by urging believers to reject retaliation.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12.17-21).
The beginning and ending statements of this passage frame the call to live peaceably and to respond to others with kindness, even in the face of wrongdoing.
Where did Paul learn how to love people who wished him evil. It is a good guess that Paul was present when Jesus prayed as he was being crucified: “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they were doing” (Luke 23:34).
Paul certainly understood the logic of Jesus’ message concerning the love of our enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5.43-47).
Throughout the centuries, one of the greatest challenges for the church has been to fully embrace the command to love our enemies. It is often easier to respond with anger or even hatred when we are offended.
We need the transformative work of God through the Holy Spirit to change our hearts. Only through this transformation can we move from reacting according to the flesh to responding according to the Spirit.
Evidence of the Spirit’s Presence
The world needs to see that our lives are guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. Look closely at this list, and notice how love, peace, and patience stand out as clear evidence that the Holy Spirit is leading us.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5.22-23).
These qualities serve as a testimony to others, showing that we are living under the Spirit’s influence and not our own.
One of my friends in seminary was a college athlete, a baseball player, who got into a fight with members of the track team. He had just surrendered his life to the Lord and, committed to not fighting back, ended up with a broken jaw.
Later, the man who hit him came to him and asked how he could know Jesus the way my friend did.
What Jesus teaches through Paul and in the Sermon on the Mount offers us a powerful way to witness God’s love and grace to a world that desperately needs to know Him.
A Message for Today
The church in America is experiencing one of the largest declines in membership in its history, certainly the biggest I’ve seen in the 50 years I’ve been in ministry.
I believe part of the reason is that the church tends to focus heavily on American culture wars, while neglecting the vital message of loving our enemies and being generous and peaceful to all.
Loving other people is not a weak or “soft” version of Christianity; in fact, it requires a fierce determination to love those who are openly opposed to us.
I ask that you join me in praying for God to bring us back to the core fundamentals of the faith—rooted in the message of Jesus. At the top of that list is the truth that God is love, and He calls His people to love as He does.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 