Romans 13:9

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

For {G1063} this, Thou shalt {G3431} not {G3756} commit adultery {G3431}, Thou shalt {G5407} not {G3756} kill {G5407}, Thou shalt {G2813} not {G3756} steal {G2813}, Thou shalt {G5576} not {G3756} bear false witness {G5576}, Thou shalt {G1937} not {G3756} covet {G1937}; and {G2532} if there be any {G1536} other {G2087} commandment {G1785}, it is briefly comprehended {G346} in {G1722} this {G5129} saying {G3056}, namely {G1722}, Thou shalt love {G25} thy {G4675} neighbour {G4139} as {G5613} thyself {G1438}.

For the commandments, “Don’t commit adultery,” “Don’t murder,” “Don’t steal,” “Don’t covet,” and any others are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Romans 13:9 from the King James Version (KJV) encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of God's law and the centrality of love in Christian living. In this verse, Paul lists several specific commandments from the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) and then asserts that all these, and indeed any other commandment, are "briefly comprehended" or summarized in the single principle: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This statement serves as a cornerstone for understanding Christian ethics and the practical outworking of faith.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Romans 13 where Paul discusses the believer's relationship to both civil authorities (verses 1-7) and to one another. Following his instruction to "owe no man any thing, but to love one another" in Romans 13:8, Paul elaborates on how love actually fulfills the law. The specific commandments listed—against adultery, killing, stealing, bearing false witness, and coveting—are all prohibitions that, if violated, demonstrate a lack of love for one's neighbor. Paul's argument is that genuine love naturally leads to the observance of these moral precepts, making love the ultimate fulfillment of the law's intent.

Key Themes

  • Love as the Fulfillment of the Law: The primary message is that love is not merely one virtue among many, but the very essence and summary of God's moral law concerning human relationships. It provides a single, overarching principle that guides all ethical behavior towards others.
  • The Unity of God's Commandments: Paul demonstrates that what might seem like disparate rules are all interconnected and stem from the foundational command to love. This simplifies and unifies the moral demands of the Law.
  • Neighborly Love: The emphasis on "love thy neighbour as thyself" highlights the outward-focused nature of Christian love. It's not just about internal piety but about how believers interact with and treat those around them. This command is echoed throughout Scripture, from its origin in the Old Testament to its prominence in Jesus' teachings.
  • Practical Christian Living: The verse offers a tangible framework for daily conduct. If one truly loves their neighbor, they will naturally refrain from actions that harm or exploit them, such as adultery, murder, theft, or deceit.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "briefly comprehended" translates the Greek word anakephalaioutai (ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται), which literally means "to sum up," "to bring under a head," or "to recapitulate." It conveys the idea of gathering various points under one main heading or principle. Paul uses this term to show that love is the overarching principle that encompasses all these specific commands related to human interaction. The command "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" is a direct quotation from Leviticus 19:18, a foundational verse in the Old Testament, and was prominently highlighted by Jesus as the second great commandment (Matthew 22:39).

Related Scriptures

  • Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus identifies loving God and loving neighbor as the two greatest commandments, upon which "hang all the law and the prophets."
  • Galatians 5:14: Paul reiterates this truth, stating, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
  • James 2:8: James refers to this command as the "royal law according to the scripture."
  • Exodus 20: The source of the specific commandments listed in Romans 13:9.

Practical Application

Romans 13:9 challenges believers to move beyond mere outward obedience to the law and to embrace the underlying principle of love. Instead of simply avoiding certain actions, the Christian is called to actively embody love towards others. This means cultivating a genuine concern for their well-being, respecting their dignity, and seeking their good. When love is the motivating factor, violations of the law become unthinkable. This verse encourages self-examination: do my actions towards others reflect genuine love, or am I merely adhering to rules? It reminds us that love is the most powerful and comprehensive ethic for navigating our relationships in a way that honors God and blesses our community.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 20:12

    ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Exodus 20:17

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • Matthew 22:39

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

  • Luke 10:27

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Mark 12:31

    And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

  • Deuteronomy 5:16

    Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Deuteronomy 5:21

    Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.

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