Romans 12:19-21 : Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Paul's addressing them as "beloved" would remind them that they should feel the same way toward one another. That feeling would promote peace and good fellowship among them, for people do not indulge in strife and harsh words with those they love. But there is inherent in man a sense of justice, a feeling that evil-doers should be punished. Taking vengeance is the savage's way of exacting justice, but not the Lord's way. Neither is that sort of punishment tolerated by civilized governments. "Avenge not yourselves." The individual should not with his own hands try to take satisfaction for injuries. To punish evil doers is God's prerogative let him do the punishing in his own appointed way. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35 : "Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord." Paul's quoting that statement did not change its meaning nor its application. It does not refer to the vengeance God will take on sinners at the final judgment. Under the law of Moses God took vengeance on evil-doers by the agency of chosen authorities. Paul's quoting that part of the law did not change its application, and the vengeance here mentioned will be taken in the same way. A little later Paul will show how this is to be done. Instead of taking personal vengeance on an enemy, give him food and drink as his needs may require. If there is any degree of manhood in him, this course will fill him with shame and remorse--figuratively it will heap coals of fire on his head, and may entirely melt down his enmity. If it does not do this, it will make him feel uncomfortable, in that he has no evil thing he can say about you. By following the course outlined in Romans 12:19-20, the Christian overcomes evil with good; if he seeks with his own hands to inflict punishment on an enemy, he is overcome of evil--he himself becomes evil.