Si tu enemigo tiene hambre, aliméntalo; si tiene sed, dale algo de beber; porque haciendo esto amontonarás brasas ardientes sobre su cabeza (Rom. 12:20).
Pablo seguramente estaba pensando en lo que dice Proverbios 25:21, 22: “Si el que te odia tiene hambre, dale pan de comer; y si tiene sed, dale agua de beber. Porque son brasas las que estás amontonando sobre su cabeza, y Jehová mismo te recompensará”. En vista de los demás consejos que contiene el capítulo 12 de Romanos, no debemos entender que las brasas simbólicas de las que habló Pablo tuvieran como propósito causarle daño al opositor o avergonzarlo. Al parecer, las palabras de Pablo —y las del proverbio bíblico— se refieren a una antigua técnica de fundición de metales. Como si fueran “brasas ardientes”, los actos de bondad pueden ablandar el corazón de los opositores e incluso “derretir” su hostilidad. Pueden hacer que la gente cambie su actitud hacia el pueblo de Jehová y el mensaje bíblico.
Wednesday, June 15
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.—Rom. 12:20.
Paul doubtless had in mind what we read at Proverbs 25:21, 22: “If the one hating you is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For coals are what you are raking together upon his head, and Jehovah himself will reward you.” In view of his counsel found in Romans chapter 12, Paul could hardly have meant that the illustrative coals were to inflict punishment or shame upon an opposer. Rather, the proverb—as well as Paul’s similar words to the Romans—seems to refer to an ancient method used for smelting metal ores. Like “fiery coals,” acts of kindness can warm the hearts of opposers and perhaps melt down their hostility. Kind actions can win people over to a more favorable attitude toward Jehovah’s people and the Bible message they preach.
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