Romans 13:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:8-14

Christ-likeness. From citizenship, which is disposed of in the preceding verses, the apostle passes on to the Christian spirit as manifested in neighbourly relations. He here enters into the very spirit and essence of God's law, showing it to be love. And here we have— I. THE DEBT WHICH CAN NEVER BE DISCHARGED . ( Romans 13:8 .) We may pay all other debts, and should owe no man anything; but love is a debt that can never be discharged, an obligation which abides, a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:8

Owe no man anything - Be not “in debt” to anyone. In the previous verse the apostle had been discoursing of the duty which we owe to magistrates. He had particularly enjoined on Christians to pay to “them” their just dues. From this command to discharge fully this obligation, the transition was natural to the subject of debts “in general,” and to an injunction not to be indebted to “any one.” This law is enjoined in this place:Because it is a part of our duty as good citizens; and, Because it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 13:8-10

Romans 13:8-10. Here, from our duty to magistrates, he passes on to general duties. Owe no man any thing Endeavour to manage your affairs with that economy and prudent attention that you may, as soon as possible, balance accounts with all who have any demands upon you, except it be with respect to that debt, which, while you pay, you will nevertheless still owe, namely, to love one another; an eternal debt, which can never be sufficiently discharged. But yet, if this be rightly performed,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 13:1-14

Duties to rulers and to others (13:1-14)Since God is the source of all authority, governments exercise power by his permission. Christians should therefore obey the ruling authorities (13:1-2). If they keep the laws of the country, Christians have nothing to fear. They should have no difficulty in cooperating with the government, because the basic functions of government are the promotion of the well-being of society and the restraint of wrongdoing, and these functions are in keeping with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 13:8

no man = no one. Greek. medeis . but = if ( App-118 ) not ( App-105 ). love . App-135 . another = the other. App-124 . fulfilled . See Romans 1:29 . App-125 . the . Omit. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 13:8

Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.Greathouse understood the first clause here as the negative statement of the first clause in Romans 13:7, thus referring it to the obligations of custom, tribute, honor, etc. He said:This means, do not continue in a state of owing any of the obligations referred to in Romans 13:7, but fulfill them and discharge them. There is only one debt of which you can never get rid - the debt of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:8

8. Owe no man anything, but to love one another—"Acquit yourselves of all obligations except love, which is a debt that must remain ever due" [HODGE]. for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law—for the law itself is but love in manifold action, regarded as matter of duty. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:8

The NASB translation "Owe nothing to anyone" is misleading because it contradicts Jesus’ teaching to loan to those who want to borrow from you (Matthew 5:42). He implied that borrowing is not always wrong. The New Testament does not forbid borrowing, only the practice of charging exorbitant interest on loans and failing to pay debts (Matthew 25:27; Luke 19:23). There are two kinds of debts: those with the lender’s consent and those without his consent. It is the second type to which Paul... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:8-10

2. Conduct toward unbelievers 13:8-10Paul had previously glorified the importance of love among believers (Romans 12:9-10; cf. 1 Corinthians 13). Now he urged this attitude toward all people, though unbelievers are primarily in view in this chapter. The connecting link in the argument is our obligations to government (Romans 13:7) and to our fellow citizens (Romans 13:8; cf. Galatians 5:13-15). read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 13:8

13:8 fulfilled (k-16) Perfect tense. By the conduct which flows from love, the law is already fulfilled before its requirement is applied. read more

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