Corpus-Paul

[LeeEdgarTyler AT aol.com]

In a message dated 2/6/2005 1:51:40 P.M. Central Standard Time, jdemail AT charter.net writes:

Apologies for a low-brow question: I have regarded the explanations such as
the following basically as homiletical "urban legends." Would someone kindly
correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks

James Ernest
jdemail AT charter.net

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begin quote from a website that cites Light through an Easter Window by
Bishop K. C. Pillai:

Romans 12: 20 -- Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

To us this verse sounds like it might be some sort of revenge to take on
your enemies. Dumping hot coals on someone's head sounds pretty serious, but
in Eastern life it meant something quite different. In the village, not all
households were equipped to start a fire in the morning. A woman who had a
flint would start a fire, and she would place hot coals on a shard of
pottery. Her young son would take the pottery and place it on his head, then
go from house to house in the village, sharing the coals so everyone could
have a fire. On those cold mornings, the boy was warmed by the coals he
carried on his head. This verse is telling us that our actions towards our
enemies should 'warm them' and is stressed more clearly in the next verse.

Hello, James,

 

I found this interesting and brought it up with my wife, who's a specialist in the role of women in antiquity.  The fact is that households did not start fires in the morning but rather kept embers alive overnight and then placed kindling on them, gave them a few puffs to get a flame, and then added whatever fuel was appropriate.  Of course if your embers went out during the night you'd have to bum a light from your neighbor, but the notion of people relying a kid running around town every morning like a paperboy is right out the window.

 

As a matter of common sense, carrying coals on a potshard on top of your head would not warm you, what with heat rising as it does and all.  It would, however, burn off your hair and then start on the skin on the bit of your scalp that came into contact with the hot pottery. 

 

I refrain from theological speculation as to Paul's meaning, but Bishop Pillai's explanation has to be consigned to the urban legend heap.

 

best,

 

Ed Tyler