Romans 13:8
What does Romans 13:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 13:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 13:8 means
Paul shifts categories: beyond paying what is due, let no debt remain outstanding—except the ongoing debt to love one another. Unlike taxes or fees, love is never fully paid off; it is the continual posture we owe our neighbors. He explains that love sums up the law because its aim is the neighbor’s true good. When we love, we align with God’s moral will without needing a list of external rules. This does not abolish God’s commands; it fulfills their core intention. Love is not mere sentiment, but active good will shaped by God’s holiness and our neighbor’s welfare.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be in debt for nothing, but to have love for one another: for he who has love for his neighbour has kept all the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other--law he hath fulfilled,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Context
After closing the civic duty section in verse 7, verse 8 introduces the central Christian ethic that governs all relationships: love. The link is intentional—having rendered what is due to authorities, believers now consider the one debt that remains for everyone, always. Verses 9–10 will unpack how love fulfills the law, showing the internal unity of God’s moral will. The flow moves from external dues to the internal principle that guides all obedience, preparing for the urgency and watchfulness Paul will call for in verses 11–14.
v.7Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
v.8This passage
v.9For 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 13:10
Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
- Romans 13:7
Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
- Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
- 1 Timothy 1:5
But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
- Deuteronomy 24:14
Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy sojourners that are in thy land within thy gates:
- Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
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