Romans 13:8

KJV

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

KJV (with Strong's)

Owe {G3784} no man {G3367} any thing {G3367}, but {G1508} to love {G25} one another {G240}: for {G1063} he that loveth {G25} another {G2087} hath fulfilled {G4137} the law {G3551}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t owe anyone anything — except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow human being has fulfilled Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

American Standard Version

Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 13:8 encapsulates a profound ethical principle, transitioning from civic duties to the foundational Christian obligation: the perpetual debt of love. Paul asserts that while believers should diligently settle all material and moral obligations, the commitment to love one another is an unending responsibility that inherently and perfectly fulfills the entire essence of God's moral law, serving as the supreme guiding principle for all interpersonal conduct.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal transition within Romans 13. Immediately preceding it, Paul provides detailed instructions regarding a believer's [submission to governing authorities](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities"), emphasizing the payment of taxes, customs, respect, and honor. Having outlined these civic and societal responsibilities, Paul seamlessly shifts focus to interpersonal obligations within the Christian community. Romans 13:8 then introduces the singular, overarching "debt" that remains constant: the obligation to love. The subsequent verses, [Romans 13:9-10](/romans/13-9-10 "Romans 13:9-10 - Love Fulfills the Commandments"), further elaborate on how this love directly fulfills specific commandments of the Mosaic Law, demonstrating its practical implications for daily living and ethical behavior.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to believers in Rome, a city at the heart of the Roman Empire, where diverse populations, including Jews and Gentiles, lived under imperial law. The early Christian community in Rome faced the challenge of living as faithful citizens of both God's kingdom and the Roman Empire. Paul's instructions in [Romans 13](/romans/13 "Romans 13 - Submission to Authorities and Love") aim to guide them in navigating these dual loyalties, promoting a lifestyle that honors God by respecting earthly authorities while also demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel through their conduct. The emphasis on financial integrity ("Owe no man any thing") was particularly relevant in a society where debt could lead to social disgrace, legal entanglement, and even slavery, underscoring the importance of a clear Christian witness.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 13:8 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader book of Romans and Pauline theology. It reinforces the theme of **love as the fulfillment of the law**, echoing Jesus' teaching that [love for God and neighbor](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandments") encapsulates the entire Law and Prophets. It also highlights the theme of **Christian ethics and responsibility**, moving from external compliance (paying taxes, respecting authorities) to an internal, heart-driven motivation (love). Furthermore, it touches upon **financial stewardship and integrity**, advocating for a life free from unnecessary financial burdens, which can hinder one's freedom and testimony, thereby allowing for unhindered devotion to the supreme command of love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Owe (Greek, _opheílō'_):** From G3784, this term signifies a standing obligation or debt, whether financial (pecuniary) or moral. It implies being under obligation, owing a duty, or being indebted. In this context, it covers all forms of outstanding commitments that a person is bound to fulfill, extending beyond mere money to include moral duties.
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** From G25, this is the verb form of _agape_, referring to a deliberate, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love. Unlike _phileo_ (brotherly affection) or _eros_ (romantic desire), _agape_ is a volitional love that actively seeks the well-being and highest good of the other person, often irrespective of their worthiness or reciprocation. It is a love rooted in character and choice, reflecting God's own nature.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, this word means to make replete, to fill up, to accomplish, or to bring to completion. Used in the perfect tense in the Greek (πεπλήρωκεν), it indicates a completed action with ongoing results. When one loves, they have effectively brought about the complete realization or essence of the law's intention, demonstrating that love is not merely an addition to the law but its ultimate purpose and embodiment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Owe no man any thing":** This clause establishes a foundational principle of Christian integrity and responsibility. It calls believers to live free from outstanding financial or moral debts, emphasizing prompt payment of obligations and avoidance of unnecessary entanglements that could compromise one's witness or freedom. It implies careful stewardship and honesty in all dealings.
* **"but to love one another":** This phrase introduces the singular, perpetual "debt" that is never fully discharged. It stands in stark contrast to other obligations that can and should be settled. The command to "love one another" signifies that _agape_ love is not a temporary duty but an ongoing, continuous commitment that defines the Christian life. It is the one "debt" that believers are always "paying" and yet never "finish."
* **"for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law":** This is the profound theological core of the verse, providing the reason (introduced by "for," G1063, _gár_) for the preceding command. Paul asserts that genuine, active, _agape_ love for one's neighbor inherently leads to the fulfillment of God's moral law. If one truly loves, they will naturally refrain from actions forbidden by the Law (murder, adultery, theft, coveting) and actively pursue actions commanded by it (kindness, generosity, justice). Love, therefore, is not merely a part of the law but its summation and ultimate expression.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 13:8 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Antithesis** is prominent, setting up a sharp contrast between "owing no man any thing" (a finite, dischargeable debt) and the perpetual "debt to love one another" (an infinite, ongoing obligation). This highlights the unique and supreme nature of love. The phrase "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another" also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Meiosis** (understatement) in the first part, emphasizing the *priority* of love by suggesting that all other debts are secondary and should be cleared to make way for the primary, unending debt of love. Furthermore, the final clause, "for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law," uses **Synecdoche**, where "love" (a part or aspect of ethical living) stands for the whole of "the law" (the entire moral code). This demonstrates that love is not just one commandment among many, but the comprehensive principle that encapsulates and fulfills all others.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects the practicalities of daily living with the highest theological principles of God's kingdom. It elevates love from a mere emotion to the ultimate ethical imperative, demonstrating that genuine Christian living is not about rigid adherence to a list of rules, but about embodying the self-giving nature of God through _agape_ love. This love, Paul argues, is the dynamic force that naturally leads to the fulfillment of the entire moral law, making external compliance a natural outflow of an internal transformation. It resonates deeply with the prophetic tradition's emphasis on justice and mercy over ritual, and Jesus' own teachings on the supremacy of love.

* [Galatians 5:14](/galatians/5-14 "Galatians 5:14 - Love Fulfills the Whole Law")
* [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandments")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 13:8 calls believers to a radical commitment to love that transcends mere sentimentality and manifests in concrete actions. Practically, it encourages responsible financial stewardship, urging us to be diligent in paying our debts and honoring our commitments, thereby maintaining a clear conscience and a credible witness in the world. However, it quickly pivots to emphasize that while material debts can be settled, the debt of love is an ongoing, never-ending obligation. This means actively seeking the good of others, extending grace, forgiveness, and practical help, even when it is inconvenient or costly. It challenges us to view every interaction as an opportunity to "pay" this debt, reflecting God's unconditional love to a broken world. Living by this principle transforms our understanding of the law from a burden of rules into a joyful expression of our new nature in Christ, where love becomes the guiding principle for all our thoughts, words, and deeds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways can I "owe no man anything" in my financial and moral dealings this week?**
* **How does my current understanding of "love" align with the _agape_ love described in this verse? What practical steps can I take to demonstrate _agape_ love to those around me?**
* **How does viewing love as the "fulfillment of the law" change my perspective on God's commands and my spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**Does "Owe no man any thing" mean Christians should never take out loans or mortgages?**

Answer: While the verse encourages financial prudence and the prompt payment of obligations, it does not strictly forbid all forms of debt, such as mortgages or responsible business loans. The primary emphasis is on avoiding unnecessary debt that could enslave or hinder one's witness, and more importantly, on the *priority* of the unending debt of love. The "but to love one another" clause indicates that while other debts should be settled, the debt of love is the one that remains. The spirit of the command is to be financially responsible, live within one's means, and ensure that financial entanglements do not impede one's ability to live out the supreme command to [love one another](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - Jesus' New Commandment").

**What is the difference between this "love" and other types of love?**

Answer: The Greek word used here for "love" is _agape_ (G25, _agapáō'_), which is distinct from other forms of love like _phileo_ (brotherly affection or friendship) or _eros_ (romantic or passionate love). _Agape_ is a volitional, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love that actively seeks the highest good of the other person, regardless of their actions or reciprocation. It is a love that stems from a deliberate choice and is characteristic of God's own nature (as seen in [1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")). When Paul says "he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law," he means this _agape_ love is the driving force that naturally leads to ethical behavior consistent with God's commands, because it always seeks the well-being of the neighbor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 13:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who truly "owed no man anything," living a life of perfect obedience and integrity, free from sin or moral debt. Yet, simultaneously, He perfectly exemplified the "debt to love one another." His entire earthly ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, was the supreme act of _agape_ love. Jesus did not merely teach about love; He *was* love incarnate, demonstrating its full meaning by laying down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")) and even for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Furthermore, Christ is the one who "fulfilled the law" not by abolishing it, but by perfectly keeping it and embodying its true intent through His life of perfect love and obedience ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His Spirit, believers are empowered to live out this same _agape_ love, thereby fulfilling the law themselves, not as a means to salvation, but as a joyful response to the saving love of God in Christ ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). Thus, Romans 13:8 is a call to reflect the very character of Christ, whose life and death perfectly illustrate that love is indeed the fulfillment of all righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 13:10

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.

Matthew 22:39

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:40

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 7:12

¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Proverbs 3:27

¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].

Proverbs 3:28

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.