Romans 13:8

“`html

An Exegetical Study of Romans 13:8: The Obligation of Love and the Fulfillment of the Law

This exegetical study of Question about translation of Romans 13:8 is based on a b-greek discussion from April 20, 2007.

The initial discussion centers on translation difficulties encountered in Romans 13, particularly regarding the term “authority” (ἐξουσία), which is identified as a significant problem. The broader context of Romans 13:8-10 is introduced as crucial, suggesting that “doing good” within this passage is equated with fulfilling the Mosaic Law.

The primary exegetical issue under examination is the precise meaning and translation of Romans 13:8, specifically how Paul’s instruction regarding indebtedness and mutual love articulates the fulfillment of the Law. A secondary, but related, concern, as highlighted in the source discussion, is the interpretation and translation of ἐξουσία (authority) in Romans 13:1-7, and its implications for understanding the believer’s relationship to governing powers, especially when linked to the concept of fulfilling the law in the latter half of the chapter.

Μηδενὶ μηδὲν ὀφείλετε, εἰ μὴ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους· ὁ γὰρ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἕτερον νόμον πεπλήρωκεν.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• There are no significant textual differences in Romans 13:8 between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010). Both editions present the same Greek text for this verse.

A review of the NA28 critical apparatus for Romans 13:8 reveals no significant textual variants. The reading is consistently attested across major manuscript traditions.

Lexical notes:

• ὀφείλετε (opheilete): From the verb ὀφείλω (opheilō), meaning “to owe, to be indebted to, to be under obligation.” Here, it is an imperative, “you (plural) owe.” (BDAG, 744)
• ἀγαπᾶν (agapan): The present infinitive form of ἀγαπάω (agapaō), “to love, to have affection for, to hold dear.” In this context, it functions as a substantive, “the act of loving.” (BDAG, 6)
• ἀλλήλους (allēlous): A reciprocal pronoun, meaning “one another, each other.” (BDAG, 40)
• πεπλήρωκεν (peplērōken): The perfect active indicative, third person singular, of πληρόω (plēroō), “to fill, fulfill, complete, bring to an end.” The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with continuing results—the law has been fulfilled and remains fulfilled. (BDAG, 827)
• ἐξουσία (exousia): While not present in Romans 13:8, this noun (meaning “authority, power, right, control, jurisdiction”) is central to the broader discussion in Romans 13:1-7 and is noted as a key translation problem in the initiating post. In the plural (ἐξουσίαι), it often denotes “authorities” or “rulers.” Kittel (TDNT 2:560-574) highlights its range from ‘freedom of choice’ to ‘delegated power’ and ‘ruling powers,’ underscoring the complexities in translating it consistently, especially in contexts of civic governance. BDAG (356-358) similarly lists various shades of meaning, including the capacity to act, privilege, and even supernatural power, reinforcing the need for careful contextual interpretation.

Translation Variants

Romans 13:8 presents a clear imperative followed by a causal explanation:

The first clause, Μηδενὶ μηδὲν ὀφείλετε, εἰ μὴ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους, translates literally as “To no one owe nothing, except the to love one another.” This uses a double negative (μηδενὶ μηδὲν) for emphasis, creating a strong proscription against any outstanding debt, immediately qualified by the exception of continuous, mutual love. The use of the present infinitive ἀγαπᾶν in the articular infinitive construction τὸ ἀγαπᾶν emphasizes the ongoing, active nature of love as a continuous obligation rather than a one-time act. Grammatically, εἰ μὴ functions as an exclusionary conjunction, setting up love as the singular, perpetual debt that is never fully discharged.

The second clause, ὁ γὰρ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἕτερον νόμον πεπλήρωκεν, provides the theological rationale for the command. The causal conjunction γὰρ (“for”) connects the two clauses. The participial phrase ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἕτερον (“the one loving the other”) functions substantively as the subject, referring to anyone who actively practices love. The object τὸν ἕτερον (“the other”) specifies the recipient of this love as one’s fellow human. Crucially, the verb πεπλήρωκεν is in the perfect active indicative, signifying a completed action with lasting effects: the person who loves has already fulfilled the law, and this fulfillment remains true. This rhetorical move by Paul is potent, elevating love not merely as one commandment among many, but as the comprehensive embodiment and culmination of the entire Law.

The connection to Romans 13:1-7, though not directly within verse 8, is implicit through the post’s discussion of ἐξουσία. If believers are to submit to governing authorities (ἐξουσίαι), this submission is ultimately subsumed under the greater obligation of love. Love is the ultimate “doing good” that fulfills the law, thereby framing all other ethical and civic duties. The “problem” of Paul’s weak, sinful nature mentioned in the post, though linked to his broader theological framework (e.g., Romans 7), is here juxtaposed with the perfect fulfillment offered through active love. The mention of the NIV translation, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the…”, in the original discussion, accurately captures the strong imperative and the enduring nature of the love-debt.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Romans 13:8 delivers a powerful ethical mandate, asserting that the only perpetual obligation among believers is the continuous act of loving one another. This love is not merely a single command but is presented as the comprehensive fulfillment of the entire Law. The perfect tense of πεπλήρωκεν emphasizes the enduring, complete nature of this fulfillment, suggesting that a life characterized by love inherently satisfies the Law’s demands. The broader discussion of ἐξουσία (authority) in the chapter reinforces that even civic duties are ultimately framed within this overarching principle of love, which stands as the ultimate “good work.”

1. Owe no one anything, except for the continuous obligation to love one another; for the one who loves another has completely fulfilled the law.
   This translation emphasizes the ongoing nature of the “debt” of love and the comprehensive, perfected state of fulfilling the law through such love.
2. Let no debt remain outstanding to anyone, except the single debt of loving each other; for in loving another, one has brought the law to its full completion.
   This version highlights the unique and singular nature of the love-debt and stresses the active process of love leading to the law’s culmination.
3. Do not be indebted to anyone for anything, apart from the debt of loving one another; because the one who loves their neighbor has settled all the requirements of the law.
   This rendering uses more contemporary phrasing for “debt” and “fulfillment,” making the enduring satisfaction of the law’s demands clear.

“`