Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it its written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink, for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head
(Romans 12:19–20). Paul shows how one learns what it means to do good by studying the Scriptures. He quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35 where the Lord promises that he himself will turn things around for his people. Therefore, they are commanded to wait patiently and expectantly for it. Furthermore, in Proverbs 25:21–22 we also read that the Lord will reward you
when you take care of your enemy in emergency situations. Paul combines both passages here. Together they proclaim the message that the Lord will avenge us, allowing us to be liberated from seeking vengeance ourselves. Instead, we can exhibit love to our enemies when they are in need.1
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”