The “Debt” of Love

Christians have a duty to support their governments financially. So Paul taught us in Romans 13:6–7, where he also showed that believers are to give respect and honor to whomever it is due, to governing authorities and others. These are obligations, “debts” that Christians simply must pay. But we have other, greater obligations, as well, and today’s passage identifies one of the most important.

“Owe no one anything except to love one another,” Paul writes. Dr. James M. Boice points out that this is a literal translation of the Greek New Testament, but it has led some sincere believers over the years to conclude that Paul is prohibiting all borrowing by Christians. Such is not his point. Boice argues that The New International Version translation of this passage—“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another”—conveys the apostle’s meaning more clearly. He is not saying Christians should never borrow, but that Christians are to be highly conscientious in the payment of the debts they take on. They should never default on their debts, never even get behind in the payments, and take care of and promptly return any borrowed items. But even aside from financial and material obligations, which is not Paul’s focus here, Christians are to be careful to “pay” the “debts” imposed upon them by their professions of faith and inclusion in the body of Christ.

The greatest of these obligations, at least on the human plane, is “to love one another.” The NIV properly characterizes this as a “continuing debt.” Simply put, love is the duty of the Christian always and everywhere. It is impossible to love enough—we can always find ways to serve others and others to serve. Boice writes, “What this means, in very simple terms, is that we can never say that we have satisfied our obligations in this area.”

And who are we to love? Usually when Paul speaks of Christians’ duties to “one another,” he is thinking of other believers. Here, however, he seems to have a broader focus. In verse 8b, he speaks of loving one’s “fellowman” (NIV), then moves to a discussion of God’s moral law, which is binding upon believers and unbelievers alike. Christians, therefore, are obligated to behave lovingly toward all people. We must not be deadbeats in our payment of this debt.