The Word of the Day is "enemy." In our special reading of Romans 12:26, 27) Paul instructs the Romans to do good to their enemies. In verse 12:17 (OSB), he teaches, "Repay no one evil for evil (OSB Romans 12:17). Instead of taking revenge, the apostle says, "Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink" (Romans 12:20 OSB)
A Recurrent Theme
The love and care for the adversary is a recurrent theme in the scriptures. In today's study, we will find that the Lord's teachings resonate with St. Paul's words. For example, Jesus states. "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (OSB Luke 6:27).
To nourish an attitude of love for those who oppose us seems unnatural. Expressing that love in caring for their needs seems contrary to human nature. What should we do if our enemy assaults us? We naturally reply that the course is to hit back before we receive yet another blow. Furthermore, giving our adversaries something to eat or drink when they are weak would just make them stronger and more harmful.
The Witness of the New Testament
Yet the New Testament witnesses that this instruction is essential for followers of Christ. Luke records that Jesus said we should "Bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Luke 6:28 OSB).
And Jesus continues, " To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either" (OSB Luke 6:29).
Expressing the same thought in Matthew, Jesus says, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." He continues, " If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. (OSB Matthew 2 5:9&10).
We find another version of this thought in 1 Peter, where the apostle states, "not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing" (1 Peter 3:9)
In summary, love should replace hate, mercy should replace vengeance, and kindness should replace retaliation. This repeated instruction is so prominent in the New Testament that we might regard it as the 11th Commandment.
The Reasons For Loving One's Enemies
But why should we take this attitude and behavior toward those who wrong us? The scriptures agree on the principle but vary in motivation.
You may be surprised that the thought of caring for one's adversaries is found in the Old Testament as well as the New. In Proverbs, we read, "If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink; For so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you"(OSB Proverbs 25:21-22). In our reading, Paul quotes this verse exactly from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures.
Yet, what does it mean to "heap coals of fire" on the enemy's head? Both the Hebrew (Strong's Hebrew #1513) and Greek (Strong's #440) refer to embers that are heaped upon the head. Many ancient and modern commentators suggest that burning coals are pains that pierce and smolder in the soul, such as remorse and shame. This reason for showing kindness to our enemies seems idealistic. What if the enemy is imperious to these nagging scruples?
As we look further for a reason to love our enemies, we find that Proverbs 25 mentions a reward for doing good to one's enemy, and in Luke, Jesus promises that those who loved their enemies who do not expect repayment on earth will receive a heavenly reward (Luke 6:35).
In Matthew, however, the reason for showing kindness to our foes is more than to gain divine compensation. There, the Lord requires the love of the enemy "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45 OSB). Likewise, in Luke, Jesus teaches that loving those who hate and abuse them emulates the Creator's indiscriminate kindness for those who are unthankful and wicked (Luke 6:35). Being like God. they are worthy to be called His children (Luke 6:35 OSB) (Matthew 5:56 OSB).
Overcoming Evil With Good
But there is a more practical reason for the love of the enemy. Note that Paul follows his quotation from Proverbs. In summary of his discussion about revenge against our adversaries, he states, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21 OSB). Paul here identifies the one sure way to win the victory over our adversaries. They cannot dissuade us from loving them. They cannot force us to cease caring for them. As long as we do not let the attitudes of revenge overcome us, we are free of the passions of hate and retaliation, free to forgive as we have been forgiven, and free to show kindness as we have received mercy.
For Reflection
Here is the ending of a prayer by St. Nikolai Velimirovich"]
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows: that a person has no enemies in the world except himself. One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies but cruel friends. It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies. Therefore, bless, O Lord, both my friends and enemies. A slave curses enemies for he does not understand. But a son blesses them, for he understands for a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life. Therefore, he freely steps among them and prays to God for them. This prayer by St. Nikolai Velimirovich beautifully encapsulates the transformative power of love, kindness, and forgiveness.
+ St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers By the Lake: A Treasury of Serbian Orthodox Spirituality, Volume 5)
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