### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὀφειλή (G3782, opheilḗ) is derived from the verb ὀφείλω (G3784, opheilō), meaning "to owe," "to be indebted," or "to be under obligation." Its core semantic range encompasses both literal and figurative senses of indebtedness. Primarily, it refers to a concrete "sum owed," a financial or material "debt." This is its most straightforward application, indicating a liability that must be discharged. Figuratively, ὀφειλή extends to denote a moral or relational "obligation" or "duty." This includes responsibilities that are due to another person, a community, or even God, not necessarily in a financial sense, but as a matter of right or propriety. The nuanced definition provided indicates a specific application to "conjugal duty," highlighting the mutual responsibilities within a marriage. Thus, ὀφειλή moves from the realm of economic transaction to the sphere of ethical and relational accountability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὀφειλή appears three times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating a distinct facet of its semantic range:
1. **Financial Debt:** In [[Matthew 18:32]], within the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus uses ὀφειλή to refer to the substantial financial debt owed by the servant to his master. The master, having forgiven the servant's "debt" (ὀφειλή), condemns him for not extending similar forgiveness to a fellow servant who owed him a comparatively minuscule sum. Here, ὀφειλή clearly denotes a literal, unfulfilled financial obligation, serving as a powerful metaphor for the unpayable debt of sin owed to God.
2. **Civic/Moral Obligation:** In [[Romans 13:7]], Paul instructs believers to "render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." The word "due" in this context translates ὀφειλή. This usage extends the concept of "debt" beyond a mere financial transaction to encompass civic and moral duties. It underscores the Christian's obligation to submit to governing authorities and fulfill their responsibilities as citizens, framing these actions as a matter of due obedience.
3. **Conjugal Duty:** In [[1 Corinthians 7:3]], Paul addresses marital relations, stating, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband." Here, ὀφειλή is translated as "marital duty" or "due benevolence." This is a highly specific and significant use, emphasizing the mutual sexual rights and responsibilities within the covenant of marriage. It highlights the reciprocal nature of obligation, where each spouse owes the other a particular form of intimacy and care, preventing either from defrauding the other of this relational "due."
These occurrences collectively demonstrate the versatility of ὀφειλή, ranging from concrete financial liabilities to abstract moral and relational responsibilities, all rooted in the fundamental concept of something that is "owed" or "due."
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of ὀφειλή is enriched by examining its relationship to other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **ὀφείλω (G3784, opheilō):** As the verbal root, ὀφείλω means "to owe," "to be indebted," or "to be under obligation." This verb frequently appears in contexts related to ὀφειλή, reinforcing the active state of owing or being bound by duty. For instance, in [[Romans 13:8]], Paul states, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another," using ὀφείλω to describe the ongoing obligation of love.
* **ὀφειλήματα (G3783, opheilēmata):** This is the plural form of ὀφειλή, often translated as "debts." It appears in the Lord's Prayer in [[Matthew 6:12]] ("And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"), where "debts" are synonymous with "sins" (ἁμαρτίαι, G266) as seen in Luke's parallel account [[Luke 11:4]]. This connection firmly establishes the spiritual dimension of "debt" as sin against God.
* **χρέος (G5532, chreos):** This noun also means "debt" or "obligation," often with a more general or financial connotation. While ὀφειλή specifically emphasizes what is "due," χρέος can refer to the state of being in debt.
* **δίκαιος (G1342, dikaios) / δικαιοσύνη (G1343, dikaiosynē):** "Righteous" / "righteousness." The concept of ὀφειλή aligns with what is just and right (δίκαιος) to do or to render. Fulfilling one's ὀφειλή contributes to δικαιοσύνη.
* **καθῆκον (G2520, kathēkon):** Meaning "what is fitting" or "proper," this term also conveys a sense of duty or obligation, particularly in ethical contexts. It overlaps with the "duty" aspect of ὀφειλή.
These related terms underscore that ὀφειλή is not merely a financial term but a deeply ethical and relational concept, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities and liabilities, both human and divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὀφειλή is profound, particularly in its implications for humanity's relationship with God and with one another.
Firstly, ὀφειλή highlights the concept of **humanity's spiritual debt to God**. As seen in the use of ὀφειλήματα in the Lord's Prayer, sin is understood as a debt owed to a holy God. This debt is immeasurable and unpayable by human effort, necessitating divine intervention. The gospel message centers on God's gracious forgiveness of this insurmountable debt through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This divine act of forgiveness, freely given, then establishes a new relationship and a new set of "dues."
Secondly, ὀφειλή underscores the **Christian's subsequent obligations and duties** stemming from God's grace. Having been forgiven a great debt, believers are now called to live lives characterized by reciprocal forgiveness and love, as powerfully illustrated in the parable of the unforgiving servant ([[Matthew 18:32]]). The believer's life is not one of earning salvation, but of living out the implications of a salvation already received. This includes:
* **Obligation to governing authorities:** As seen in [[Romans 13:7]], Christians have a ὀφειλή to respect and obey civil authorities, rendering to them what is due, as they are ordained by God.
* **Obligation within marriage:** [[1 Corinthians 7:3]] establishes the mutual ὀφειλή between spouses, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling marital duties as an expression of love and covenant faithfulness. This extends to all relationships within the body of Christ, where believers are called to mutual submission and service.
* **The "debt of love":** While not explicitly using ὀφειλή, the concept in [[Romans 13:8]], "Owe no one anything, except to love one another," captures the essence of the Christian's perpetual ὀφειλή. Love becomes the overarching and unending obligation that fulfills all other duties and commands.
In essence, ὀφειλή reminds believers that while their ultimate debt of sin has been paid by Christ, they now live under a new set of divine and human obligations, primarily driven by love and gratitude for God's redemptive work.
### Summary
ὀφειλή (G3782, opheilḗ) is a versatile Greek term signifying "indebtedness," ranging from a concrete "sum owed" to a figurative "obligation" or "duty." Its biblical occurrences vividly illustrate this semantic breadth: from a financial debt in [[Matthew 18:32]], to civic and moral dues in [[Romans 13:7]], and specifically to conjugal duties in [[1 Corinthians 7:3]]. Derived from ὀφείλω (G3784), "to owe," and closely related to ὀφειλήματα (G3783), "debts" (often synonymous with sins), the word carries profound theological weight. It highlights humanity's unpayable spiritual debt to God due to sin, which is graciously forgiven through Christ. Consequently, ὀφειλή also underscores the Christian's subsequent obligations—to God, to governing authorities, and to fellow humans, especially within marriage—all of which are ultimately fulfilled in the unending "debt" of love. Thus, ὀφειλή encapsulates both the gravity of human fallenness and the transformative power of divine grace, leading to a life of responsible and loving duty.
TRV